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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 subsequent chief govt.
Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs
John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been elected to be Hong Kong’s subsequent chief govt.
Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong’s high put up, received greater than 1,416 votes in Sunday’s election.
About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick the brand new chief. Lee solely wanted a easy 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 Govt Carrie Lam.
Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It’s ruled beneath the “one nation, two programs” framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.
Hong Kong’s electoral system went via a serious overhaul final yr after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called “patriots” must be allowed to manipulate the town.
At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency can be “challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some individuals.”
His reply was that his election was “run in accordance with the legal guidelines of Hong Kong.”
“Anyone, who in line with the legislation is certified, can participate and run for the election,” he added.
Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: “With that variety of help, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members.”
John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be the town’s subsequent chief govt.
Bloomberg | Getty Photographs
In a be aware final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing’s selection of Lee as the following Hong Kong chief.
“The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a number one position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing’s high precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety slightly than preserving its position as a dynamic world hub,” they mentioned.
“Lee’s appointment will reinforce Hong Kong’s shift from being a worldwide monetary and enterprise heart to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China,” Eurasia’s analysts mentioned. “Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee’s administration could also be poorly geared up to reply to a serious shock.”
Covid challenges
In step 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 additional in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing barely in late April.
The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian monetary hub.
I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.
John Lee
Hong Kong’s incoming chief govt
On the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he’ll present the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.
“Sure, we’ve challenges now due to 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 am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.”
He mentioned he can be speaking 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 additionally known as on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the town will search to spice up its vaccination charge. In response to authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.
Hong Kong’s outgoing chief govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.
“I lengthen my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election,” she mentioned in a press launch. “The current-term authorities and I’ll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We’ll render all of the help wanted for the belief of workplace by the brand new time period of presidency.”
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