Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Government can be Beijing loyalist John Lee

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top submit, gained 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 only wanted a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a particular 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 below the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a serious overhaul last 12 months after Beijing stated that only so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance can be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some individuals."

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

"Anybody, who in accordance with the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of support, after all, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a word final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the subsequent 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, indicates that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety slightly than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business center to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to respond to a serious shock."

In line with China's Covid-19 policy, 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 city tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid instances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press convention, Lee was also asked how he will present the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

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

He stated he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the situations that will likely be required for normal 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 said town will seek to boost its vaccination fee. In response to 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 executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press launch. "The current-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We'll render all the support wanted for the idea of workplace by the brand new time period of government."

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