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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief executive.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to pick out the brand new leader. Lee only needed 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 Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled underneath the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a significant overhaul final 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 requested if his efficiency shall be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some individuals."

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

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

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The number of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety somewhat than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business middle to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to reply to a serious shock."

In line 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 attempt to blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a consequence of a surge in Covid instances within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press convention, Lee was also asked how he will show the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a really clear level that I am very acutely aware of the have to 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 mentioned he will probably be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the circumstances that will likely be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally known as on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will search to boost its vaccination charge. In accordance with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

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

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The present-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all of the assist wanted for the idea of workplace by the new term of government."

Correction: This story has been updated 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.