Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Executive will likely be Beijing loyalist John Lee

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to pick the new chief. Lee only needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year term on July 1, changing 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 previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled below the "one nation, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a serious overhaul last yr after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will probably be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anybody, who in keeping with the regulation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of help, after all, it encourages me and gives me the sturdy confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a word last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the following Hong Kong chief.

"The number of Lee, a career police officer who performed a leading role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security moderately than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and enterprise middle to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to respond to a major shock."

According to China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an attempt to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid instances within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear point that I'm very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press conference, Lee was additionally asked how he will show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He said he can be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will search to boost its vaccination fee. According to government statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all of the assist needed for the belief of office by the brand new term of presidency."

Correction: This story has been up to date to replicate that John Lee gained 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief government election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that determine.