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

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

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 high put up, won 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 only wanted a easy 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 rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed under the "one nation, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

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

At a press conference 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 people."

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

"Anyone, who in line with the law is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of help, of course, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety moderately than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and enterprise heart to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to reply to a significant shock."

According to 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 to blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid instances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we have challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I am 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 journey with the mainland."

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

Lee also called on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and said the town will search to spice up its vaccination price. In line with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have received 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 successful election," she said in a press release. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all the support needed for the idea of workplace by the new time period of government."

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