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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, 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 government.

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to select the new chief. Lee solely needed a easy 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, 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 former colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a serious overhaul final year after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his performance shall be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some people."

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

"Anybody, who in response to the law is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of support, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my route is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a be aware final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the next Hong Kong chief.

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety reasonably than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and business middle to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to answer a serious shock."

In line 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 unfold. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a result of a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he'll present the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He said he might be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the circumstances that might be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally known as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the government, and stated town will search to spice up its vaccination price. In line with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the population 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my sincere 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 Government-elect. We are going to render all the assist needed for the assumption of office by the new term of government."

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