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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's top post, 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 post, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to select the new chief. Lee only needed 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, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled under the "one country, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a significant overhaul last yr after Beijing stated that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to govern town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his performance will likely be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some individuals."

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

"Anybody, who in keeping with the law is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of support, of course, it encourages me and gives me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety somewhat than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business center to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to answer a serious shock."

In line 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 and blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian financial hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press conference, Lee was additionally asked how he'll show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we have challenges now because of the need to management Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also referred to as on citizens to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will search to boost its vaccination price. Based on authorities statistics, greater 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all the assist needed for the belief of office by the new time period of presidency."

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 version of the story misrepresented that determine.