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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the one candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick out the new leader. Lee solely wanted a easy majority to win.

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

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a major overhaul final year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to manipulate the town.

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

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

"Anybody, who according to the law is qualified, 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, of course, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a variety of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a number one position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security relatively than preserving its function as a dynamic world hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and enterprise middle to playing a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to respond to a major 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 cases raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

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

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press conference, Lee was additionally asked how he'll show the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He stated he might be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that will likely be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and said the town will seek to spice up its vaccination price. Based on authorities 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 lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all of the help needed for the belief of workplace by the new term of presidency."

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