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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select the new leader. 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 Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region 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 nation, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a serious overhaul last yr after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to govern the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his performance might 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 response to the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of help, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my route is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a number one function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety slightly than preserving its function as a dynamic world hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and enterprise middle to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to respond to a major shock."

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

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I am very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press convention, Lee was also requested how he'll show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we have challenges now due to the necessity to control Covid-19 and a few of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He mentioned he will likely be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the conditions that will probably be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned town will seek to spice up its vaccination rate. In keeping with government statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have received 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 profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all the help needed for the belief of office by the brand new term of presidency."

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