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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, gained 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 chief. Lee only wanted a easy 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 Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's governed underneath the "one country, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a major overhaul final year after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" should be allowed to govern the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency will likely be "challenged by the lack 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."

"Anybody, who in keeping with the law 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 variety of assist, after all, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The collection of Lee, a career police officer who performed a number one role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security fairly than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and enterprise center to taking part in 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 significant shock."

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

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

I make it a really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise 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 govt

On the press convention, Lee was also asked how he will present the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we now have challenges now because of the necessity to control Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He stated he can be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the situations that will be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and said the town will seek to spice up its vaccination charge. Based on government statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have acquired 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 profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all of the support needed for the belief of office by the new time period of presidency."

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