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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select the brand new leader. Lee only wanted a easy 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 Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul last yr after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control town.

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

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

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

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of help, after all, it encourages me and gives me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety relatively than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business middle to playing a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to reply to a serious 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 city tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

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

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he'll present the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we've got challenges now due to the need 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'm very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He mentioned he shall be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the conditions that will be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to comply with the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned town will seek to spice up its vaccination price. Based on authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have received 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 successful election," she said in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We'll render all the support wanted for the idea of office by the new term of government."

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