Beijing loyalist John Lee voted in as Hong Kong’s next leader after uncontested election

“I sit up for all of us beginning a brand new chapter collectively, constructing a Hong Kong that’s caring, open and vibrant, and a Hong Kong that is stuffed with alternatives and concord,” Lee stated in his victory speech.

Lee will change present chief Carrie Lam on July 1.

As the one candidate within the polls, Lee was anticipated to win, particularly since he had Beijing’s endorsement and final month obtained 786 nominations from members of the Election Committee in assist of his candidacy.

Lam congratulated Lee in an announcement and stated she would submit the election outcomes to Beijing.

“The current-term authorities and I’ll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We are going to render all of the assist wanted for the idea of workplace by the brand new time period of presidency,” Lam’s assertion stated.

Solely ‘patriots’ allowed

The election adopted main modifications to Hong Kong’s electoral legal guidelines final 12 months to make sure that solely “patriots” loyal to Beijing can maintain workplace. The legislature was additionally reorganized to all however remove opposition voices.

The flowery preparations surrounding the pre-determined final result communicate to Beijing’s need for a veneer of democracy. Although they are going to vote in a secret poll, Hong Kong’s electors have been all rigorously vetted.

With out opposition, Lee would doubtless have simpler time governing Hong Kong in comparison with Lam, stated Ivan Choy, a senior lecturer on the Chinese language College of Hong Kong’s Division of Authorities and Public Administration.

‘Fewer checks and balances’ 

“A significant purpose for simpler governance is that the electoral system has modified,” he stated. “Within the legislature and the election committee, there’s nearly no political opposition and the political spectrum is concentrated towards the pro-establishment camp.”

“With no democrats, it is going to be simpler for the chief govt to manipulate as there are fewer checks and balances,” he stated.

The Chinese language authorities’s liaison workplace in Hong Kong additionally congratulated Lee in an announcement and stated the election was performed in a “truthful, simply and orderly method in accordance with legal guidelines and rules.”

“Lee obtained many nominations and was elected with a excessive variety of 1,416 votes. This isn’t solely the solemn alternative of the election committee, but additionally a robust expression of public opinion,” the assertion learn.

Mainland China’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Workplace of the State Council additionally congratulated Lee in an announcement, saying the “profitable election” proved that town’s new electoral system is “good” and in keeping with the “one nation, two programs” framework that Hong Kong is ruled by.

The assertion added that the brand new chief govt will lead the Hong Kong authorities and “folks from all walks of life to forge forward in unity.”

The British handed Hong Kong over to mainland China in 1997 underneath the “one nation, two programs” framework, which promised town sure freedoms not discovered on the mainland, together with freedom of speech and meeting.

Critics say these freedoms are being eroded as Beijing has exerted better management over the previous British colony lately.

Requires common suffrage

On Sunday morning, three members of the League of Social Democrats, an area activist group, protested the election by making an attempt to march towards the election venue whereas displaying a banner demanding common suffrage that may permit Hong Kongers to vote each for the legislature and the chief govt.

“Human rights over energy, the individuals are better than the nation,” the banner learn. “One particular person, one vote for the chief govt. Instantly implement twin common suffrage.”

One protester was handing out flyers earlier than police arrived and cordoned off the protesters and the banner. Police additionally searched protesters’ belongings and took down their private particulars, although no arrests have been instantly made.

The professional-democracy camp in Hong Kong has lengthy demanded common suffrage, which they are saying is promised to town in its mini-constitution, the Primary Regulation. It was additionally a key demand within the 2014 Umbrella Revolution protests and 2019 anti-government demonstrations.

Lee as Hong Kong’s future chief has sparked concern that Beijing might additional tighten its grip on Hong Kong. He spent most of his civil service profession within the police and safety bureau, and is an outspoken and staunch supporter of a nationwide safety regulation imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 geared toward stamping out dissent.

His rise grew out of large anti-government protests in 2019 that spiralled into violent clashes. As safety secretary, he oversaw the police marketing campaign to confront protesters with tear fuel and rubber bullets, then rounded lots of them up for arrest later.

Safety regulation arrests

Greater than 150 folks have been arrested underneath the safety regulation, which outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with international forces to intervene within the metropolis’s affairs. Nearly all outstanding pro-democracy activists have been jailed, with others fleeing overseas or being intimidated into silence.

1000’s of residents have left town of seven.4 million folks amid the 2019 protests and subsequent harsh pandemic restrictions, together with many professionals and expatriates.

In his election marketing campaign within the weeks main as much as Sunday’s polls, Lee pledged to enact long-shelved native laws to guard in opposition to safety threats and vowed to extend housing provide on this planet’s costliest actual property market.

He additionally stated he would enhance town’s competitiveness and set a agency basis for Hong Kong’s growth.