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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime post, 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 govt.

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick the brand new leader. Lee solely 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 particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled beneath the "one country, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a major overhaul last year after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his performance will 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 accordance with the legislation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of help, after all, it encourages me and gives me the sturdy confidence that my path 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 Pictures

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

"The collection of Lee, a career police officer who performed a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political security slightly than preserving its role as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business middle to taking part in a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to answer a major shock."

According to 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 to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a consequence of a surge in Covid instances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And also 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 government

On the press conference, Lee was also requested how he will show the international neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we've challenges now due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and a number of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing 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 search out out what are the situations that can be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the city will search to spice up its vaccination charge. In line with authorities statistics, greater 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 executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press release. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all of the assist needed for the belief of office by the new term of presidency."

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