Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive might be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, 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 government.

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

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

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

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed underneath the "one country, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate legal and economic system.

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

At a press convention 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 legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

"Anybody, who in line with the law is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of help, after all, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by quite 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 observe final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the next Hong Kong leader.

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading role 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 moderately than preserving its function as a dynamic world hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business center to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to reply to a significant shock."

Consistent with 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. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

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

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

"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 a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally called on residents to observe the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated the town will search to spice up its vaccination charge. In response to 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 acquired their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all of the assist needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new term of presidency."

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