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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief executive.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high post, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

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

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

Hong Kong is a particular 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 nation, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a major overhaul last 12 months after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency might be "challenged by the lack 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 response to the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of support, of course, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The collection 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 precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political security rather than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business center to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to answer a major 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 town tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing barely in late April.

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

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press conference, Lee was additionally asked how he will present the international community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we now have challenges now because of the necessity to control Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

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

Lee additionally known as on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned town will search to boost its vaccination charge. In response to authorities statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants 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 government 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 current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all the support needed for the belief of workplace by the new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date to replicate that John Lee won 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief executive election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that figure.