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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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 submit, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to pick out the brand new leader. Lee only needed a simple majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed under the "one country, two methods" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and financial system.

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

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anyone, who in response to the legislation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security quite than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business center to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to answer a major shock."

In line 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. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear point that I am very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

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

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

"I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the conditions that might be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally called on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated the city will seek to spice up its vaccination fee. In accordance with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have acquired their second dose.

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

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press release. "The present-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all of the assist wanted for the assumption of workplace by the brand new term of presidency."

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