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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, received 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 needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year term on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Executive 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's governed underneath the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

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

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will likely be "challenged by the shortage 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 in response to the regulation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of help, of course, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety quite than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and business middle to taking part in 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 answer a serious shock."

Consistent with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an attempt to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I'm very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel 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 group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we've challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I'm very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also called on citizens to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and said the city will search to spice up its vaccination fee. According to authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received 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 lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press release. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all of the help needed for the assumption of office by the new time period of presidency."

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that John Lee received 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief executive election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that figure.