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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, 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 subsequent chief government.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime post, 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 leader. Lee solely wanted a simple majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's governed underneath the "one country, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a major overhaul final 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to govern the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency shall be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some individuals."

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

"Anyone, who in accordance with the law is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of support, of course, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

In a notice final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the following Hong Kong leader.

"The number of Lee, a career 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 maintaining political safety relatively than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise heart to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to reply to a significant shock."

In keeping with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try and blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition 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 will show the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a very clear level that I'm very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to comply with the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the city will seek to boost its vaccination rate. Based on authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press release. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all the help wanted for the assumption of workplace by the new term of presidency."

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