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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to select the new leader. 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, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special 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 below the "one nation, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a serious overhaul last yr after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to control the city.

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

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

"Anyone, who in keeping with the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of help, after all, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my path is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who played a number one position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety quite than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and enterprise heart to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to answer a significant shock."

In step with China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique 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 circumstances raged, but started easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he will show the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we've got challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I am very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

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

Lee also called on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated the town will search to spice up its vaccination rate. In line with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have obtained 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 profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all the help wanted for the assumption of workplace by the brand new term of presidency."

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