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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick the new leader. Lee solely needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year term on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a major overhaul last year after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" should be allowed to govern town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his performance can be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anybody, who according to the legislation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of help, in fact, it encourages me and gives 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 town's subsequent chief govt.

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political security rather than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business center to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to reply to a significant shock."

According to 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 spread. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear point that I am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll present the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a very clear point 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 have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He stated he will likely be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that will be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will search to boost its vaccination fee. According to government statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have received their second dose.

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

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We are going to render all of the support wanted for the idea of office by the new time period of government."

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