Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive will likely be Beijing loyalist John Lee

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime post, 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 leader. Lee solely wanted a simple 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, changing outgoing Chief Executive 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 below the "one nation, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a serious overhaul last 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 can be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within 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 response to the regulation is qualified, 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 support, after all, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety somewhat than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business center to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to answer a major shock."

In keeping 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 unfold. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I am very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the international neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a really clear point that I am very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will seek to boost its vaccination fee. According to 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 acquired their second dose.

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

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We'll render all of the assist wanted for the belief of office by the brand new term of presidency."

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