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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top submit, won 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 formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year term on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled below the "one country, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a serious overhaul last 12 months after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to manipulate the town.

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

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

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

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of assist, after all, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a observe final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the next Hong Kong chief.

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a number one function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime 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 world financial and enterprise middle to enjoying a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a major shock."

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

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid instances within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear level that I'm very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we've got challenges now because of the need to management Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

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

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated town will search to spice up its vaccination charge. Based on authorities statistics, more 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all of the assist needed for the idea of office by the new time period of government."

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