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ong Kong’s chief Carrie Lam mentioned “Chinese language patriots” at the moment are firmly in control of the town following the unopposed election of a brand new chief in a rubber-stamp course of.
Carrie Lam’s remarks got here after a government-vetted committee voted to approve John Lee, a hardline safety chief who cracked down on pro-democracy voices in 2019, on Sunday.
The uncontested race was utterly managed by Beijing.
The crackdown led to the imposition by Beijing of a sweeping Nationwide Safety Legislation which noticed political opponents jailed, dissenting voices silenced and the organised opposition quashed.
Showing with Lee, Lam claimed the crackdown was vital to revive order and stability.
“I wish to thank the central authorities once more for taking resolute measures when Hong Kong confronted unprecedented challenges,” mentioned Ms Lam, who’s stepping down after a single five-year time period as chief.
“It formulated the Nationwide Safety Legislation, which helped Hong Kong remodel from chaos to order, and likewise improved Hong Kong’s electoral system in order that we are able to obtain long-term peace and stability,” Lam mentioned.
China has demanded that solely patriots – outlined as these loyal to the ruling Communist Get together – can maintain workplace.
Ms Lam claimed that the requirement was very important for Hong Kong’s future. Mr Lee will change Lam on July 1 and can face an instantaneous problem in containing the town’s Covid instances.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed to China in 1997, and has seen vital restrictions in civil rights and freedoms in recent times.
Lee mentioned he and Lam exchanged views on forming a brand new authorities throughout their Monday morning assembly, however gave no indication of any new path for his administration.
Talking Sunday, he mentioned that “better prosperity for Hong Kong’s 7.4 million residents was his key precedence.
“Having restored order from chaos, it’s excessive time that Hong Kong begins a brand new chapter of improvement, a chapter that can be geared towards better prosperity for all,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, nationwide safety considerations are anticipated to trump all different points, fueling hypothesis a couple of additional deterioration of civil rights, free speech and the rule of regulation.
Ms Lam mentioned her authorities would “render all the required help and help” to help with the handover, guaranteeing Mr Lee “will lead Hong Kong to a better peak within the subsequent 5 years.”
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