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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high submit, 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 new leader. Lee only needed a easy 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 language rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled below the "one country, two methods" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul final year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to govern the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency might be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy in 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 response to the regulation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, after all, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by plenty of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety slightly than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business heart to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to reply to a serious 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 attempt to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear point that I'm very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

On the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll show the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, now we have challenges now due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He said he can 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 also known as on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated town will seek to boost its vaccination price. In line with government 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 lengthen my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she said in a press release. "The present-term authorities and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We are going to render all the assist needed for the idea of workplace by the brand new term of government."

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