Hong Kong’s next Chief Government will likely be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief government.

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to select the new chief. Lee solely wanted a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled below the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a major overhaul final year after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will probably be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some people."

His reply was that his election was "run in accordance with the legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

"Anybody, who in response to the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of support, of course, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a lot of election committee members."

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be town's subsequent chief government.

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a be aware final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the following Hong Kong leader.

"The number of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety relatively than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business middle to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to reply to a significant shock."

In keeping with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try and blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we now have challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I am very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He said he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the situations that shall be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on citizens to follow the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated the town will seek to spice up its vaccination charge. In line with government statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

Hong Kong's outgoing chief executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The present-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We are going to render all the support needed for the assumption of workplace by the new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date to reflect that John Lee won 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief executive election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that determine.