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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select the brand new chief. Lee only 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 Executive Carrie Lam.

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a significant overhaul final yr after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to manipulate town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency might 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 according to the regulation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of help, in fact, it encourages me and gives me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The collection of Lee, a career 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 security slightly than preserving its role as a dynamic world hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business middle to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to answer a major shock."

In keeping 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 try to 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 on account of a surge in Covid instances in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

On the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he'll present the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we have challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally known as on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the town will seek to boost its vaccination fee. In line with authorities statistics, greater 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press launch. "The current-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We are going to render all the help wanted for the assumption of workplace by the new time period of government."

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