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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime post, received 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 only wanted a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled under the "one country, two methods" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a serious overhaul last 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will likely 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 legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

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

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by plenty of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who played a number one function 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 somewhat than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

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

Consistent 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 spread. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a consequence of a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press conference, Lee was also asked how he will show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we've got 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 point that I'm very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he will likely be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that can be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and said the city will seek to boost its vaccination rate. In accordance 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 received their second dose.

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

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the assist wanted for the belief of workplace by the new time period of presidency."

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