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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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 publish, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick the brand new chief. Lee only wanted a simple 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, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed beneath the "one nation, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a major overhaul final yr after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control the town.

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

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

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

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, of course, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be town's subsequent chief govt.

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

In a note last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the next Hong Kong leader.

"The number of Lee, a career police officer who performed a leading position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security moderately than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business heart to playing a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to answer 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 try and blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey 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 due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

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

Lee also called on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will search to spice up its vaccination charge. Based on authorities statistics, greater 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 government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all the assist needed for the assumption of office by the brand new time period of presidency."

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