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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief executive.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick out the brand new chief. Lee solely needed a easy majority to win.

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

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a significant overhaul final yr after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance might be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some individuals."

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

"Anyone, who according to the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of support, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global 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 may be poorly outfitted to reply to a significant shock."

In keeping with 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 spread. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed because of a surge in Covid instances in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he will present the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a very clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He mentioned he can be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally called on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and said the town will search to boost its vaccination rate. In line with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have obtained 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 stated in a press release. "The current-term government and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all the support wanted for the assumption of office by the new time period of government."

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