Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Govt might 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 next chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, received 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 leader. Lee solely wanted a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year time period 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 under the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a serious overhaul final 12 months after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency shall be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some individuals."

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

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

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of assist, of course, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety reasonably than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise middle to enjoying 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 outfitted to answer a significant 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 try to blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but began easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press conference, Lee was also requested how he will present the international group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we've challenges now because of the necessity to control Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I am very conscious of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also known as on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the government, and said the town will seek to boost its vaccination charge. Based on government statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

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

"I lengthen my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press release. "The current-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all of the help needed for the assumption of office by the brand new term of government."

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