Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive will 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 subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to select 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 start his five-year term on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Executive 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 previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled below the "one country, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a major overhaul final year after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to manipulate the city.

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

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

"Anybody, who in accordance with the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of help, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

In a word final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the subsequent Hong Kong leader.

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety relatively than preserving its position as a dynamic global 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. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to respond to a major shock."

Consistent with China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try to blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a very 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 have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press conference, Lee was also asked how he will present the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we've got challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

He mentioned he can be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the conditions that can be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the town will search to spice up its vaccination fee. Based on authorities statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have obtained 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 extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The present-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all of the assist wanted for the assumption of office by the new time period of government."

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