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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to select the brand new chief. Lee only wanted a simple 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 Executive 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 governed under the "one country, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate legal and economic system.

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

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency will be "challenged by the lack 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 response to the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of support, in fact, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The number of Lee, a career police officer who performed a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety relatively than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business middle to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to answer a serious shock."

In step 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 to blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a very clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he'll present the international community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He stated he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on citizens to comply with the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated town will search to spice up its vaccination fee. According to government statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have received their second dose.

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

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all the help needed for the assumption of office by the new term of presidency."

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