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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's top submit, gained 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 only needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin 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.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed underneath the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a significant overhaul final year after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to control the city.

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

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

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

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of help, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a note final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the next Hong Kong chief.

"The number of Lee, a career police officer who performed a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety relatively than preserving its position as a dynamic world hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and enterprise middle to enjoying 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 may be poorly geared up to answer 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 try and blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a very clear point that I am very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He stated he will probably be talking 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 known as on citizens to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated the city will search to boost its vaccination price. In accordance with government 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 obtained their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press launch. "The present-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We'll render all the support wanted for the assumption of workplace by the new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been updated to mirror that John Lee received 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief government election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that figure.