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

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

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 high publish, gained 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 brand new leader. Lee solely needed 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, 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.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed under the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a major overhaul last year after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to govern town.

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

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

"Anybody, who in keeping with the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of assist, of course, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety rather than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise middle to enjoying a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to reply to a significant 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 further in February as new instances raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he'll present the international community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we have challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and among 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 in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also called on residents to comply with the advice and measures of the federal government, and said town will seek to boost its vaccination charge. Based on government 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 acquired their second dose.

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

"I prolong my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all of the help needed for the idea of office by the new time period of presidency."

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