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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, 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 new chief. Lee only needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language 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 restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a major overhaul final year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency can be "challenged by the shortage 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 line with the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of assist, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety rather than preserving its role as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business center to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a major shock."

Consistent 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 and blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid cases within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

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

"Yes, now we have challenges now due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally known as on residents to comply with the advice and measures of the government, and said the town will seek to boost its vaccination price. According to government statistics, more 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all of the help needed for the idea of office by the brand new term of government."

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