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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high post, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select the brand new chief. Lee solely wanted a simple 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, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled underneath the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

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

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his performance might 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 laws of Hong Kong."

"Anybody, who based on the law is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of help, after all, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a notice last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the subsequent Hong Kong leader.

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and enterprise heart to enjoying a narrower role 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 geared up to reply to a major shock."

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

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

I make it a very clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

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

"Yes, we've got challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and a number of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also referred to as on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the town will search to spice up its vaccination charge. In accordance 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 obtained their second dose.

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

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press release. "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 idea of office by the new time period 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 version of the story misrepresented that figure.