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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick out the new chief. Lee only wanted a simple 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, changing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a significant overhaul last 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will likely be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

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

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business middle to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to respond to a significant shock."

In line 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 attempt to blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but started easing barely in late April.

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

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

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

"Yes, we've challenges now because of the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very conscious of the must be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

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

Lee also known as on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will seek to spice up its vaccination rate. In keeping with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have acquired 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 present-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the assist needed for the assumption of office by the brand 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 govt election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that figure.