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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, 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 high publish, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick the new leader. Lee solely needed a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is governed under the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a significant overhaul last 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" must be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will likely be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some people."

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

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

Declaring that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of assist, of course, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my path is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security reasonably than preserving its role as a dynamic world hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise heart to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to reply to a serious shock."

In line 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 and blunt its spread. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but started 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 really clear point that I am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he'll show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we've 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 point that I'm very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also known as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will search to boost its vaccination rate. In keeping with authorities statistics, more 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press launch. "The current-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all the assist needed for the assumption of workplace by the new term of presidency."

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