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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime post, 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 next chief government.

Lee, the one 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 forged their votes to pick out the new chief. Lee solely wanted a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled beneath the "one country, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a significant overhaul final 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to manipulate town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his performance will be "challenged by the shortage 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."

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

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of assist, of course, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my path is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a notice last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the next Hong Kong chief.

"The collection of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security reasonably than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise heart to taking part in a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to respond to a serious shock."

In step 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 to blunt its spread. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a really clear point that I am very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he'll show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He mentioned he can be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that can be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to observe the advice and measures of the government, and mentioned town will search to spice up its vaccination fee. In keeping with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have received their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press launch. "The present-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all the help needed for the assumption of office by the new time period of government."

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