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 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 next chief govt.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select the brand new chief. 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 time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a significant overhaul final year after Beijing said 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 will likely be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anybody, who according to the law is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of help, of course, it encourages me and gives me the strong confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a variety of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"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 prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security somewhat than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and enterprise middle to playing a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to respond to a significant shock."

Consistent 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 spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a really clear level that I am very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we've challenges now due to 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 acutely aware of the need to 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."

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

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and said town will seek to spice up its vaccination fee. Based on government statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have acquired 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 stated in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all the help needed for the idea of office by the new time period of government."

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 determine.