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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the one 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 out the brand new chief. Lee solely wanted a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is governed underneath the "one country, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a significant overhaul final 12 months after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to govern the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency shall be "challenged by the lack 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 in accordance with the regulation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of help, after all, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business heart to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to respond to a serious shock."

In keeping 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. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but started easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear point that I'm very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition 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 conference, Lee was additionally requested how he'll show the international community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we now have challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I am very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He stated he will be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that might be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will search to spice up its vaccination rate. In keeping with government 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 acquired 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 successful election," she stated in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all of the help needed for the idea of office by the brand 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 government election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that figure.