Hong Kong’s next Chief Govt will probably 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 subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick the brand new leader. Lee solely 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 Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled below the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a significant overhaul final 12 months after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency shall be "challenged by the dearth 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."

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

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a number one function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety quite than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business heart to taking part in a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to respond to a significant shock."

In line 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 attempt to blunt its spread. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

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

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

"I make it a very clear point that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the government, and mentioned town will search to boost its vaccination charge. According to government 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The present-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all the assist wanted for the belief of office by the brand new term of presidency."

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