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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, gained 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 solely needed a simple 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 Govt 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 previous colony to Beijing. It is governed under the "one country, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a mostly separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a major overhaul final year after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to govern the city.

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 within the eyes of some people."

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

"Anybody, who in line with the law is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, of course, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my path is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise center to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to respond to a significant shock."

In line with 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 additional in February as new cases raged, however began easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I am very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able 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'll present the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we have challenges now because of the need to management Covid-19 and a number of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He said he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that shall be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on citizens to comply with the advice and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will search to spice up its vaccination price. 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 acquired 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 mentioned in a press release. "The present-term government and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We are going to render all of the assist needed for the assumption of office by the new time period of government."

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