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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick out the brand new chief. Lee only wanted a easy 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 area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is governed under the "one nation, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a major overhaul final 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to manipulate the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his performance will probably be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anybody, who according to the law is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of help, of course, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my path is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety relatively than preserving its function as a dynamic world hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise middle to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to reply to a significant shock."

In step 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 further in February as new instances raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid cases within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear point that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

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

He mentioned he will be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the circumstances that might be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also called on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated the city will search to boost its vaccination charge. In keeping with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

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

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all the help wanted for the idea of workplace by the new term of government."

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