John Lee

HONG KONG: A former security chief who oversaw the crackdown on Hong Kong's democracy movement was declared the business hub's new leader on Sunday (May 8) ...

Almost all prominent pro-democracy activists have been jailed, with others fleeing abroad or being intimidated into silence. Advertisement Police also searched protesters' belongings and took down their personal details, though no arrests were immediately made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement

HONG KONG -- Security hawk John Lee, who ran uncontested, was picked Sunday to become Hong Kong's sixth chief executive in a rubber-stamp election by.

HONG KONG formally confirmed John Lee as its next top leader after an uncontested election, solidifying an era of more direct Chinese political control over ...

A Hong Kong committee stacked with pro-Beijing loyalists has elected an official who oversaw a crackdown on the city's democracy movement as its next chief ...

“One person, one vote for the chief executive. Police also searched protesters’ belongings and took down their personal details, though no arrests were immediately made. The legislature was meanwhile reorganised to all but eliminate opposition voices. Nearly all prominent pro-democracy activists have also been jailed, with others fleeing abroad or being intimidated into silence. The former secretary for security in Hong Kong ran under the slogan “Starting a new chapter for Hong Kong together” and was the sole candidate in the polls. “This is a real demonstration of democratic spirit,” the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said in a statement.

Beijing hails result as only candidate in race to succeed Carrie Lam wins 99% of vote in pro-China committee's secret ballot.

“It’s just an empty gesture,” he said. Lee is one of 11 senior Hong Kong and Beijing officials sanctioned by the US because of the political crackdown. “This is a real demonstration of democratic spirit,” the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said in a statement. Under the slogan “Starting a new chapter for Hong Kong together”, Lee has vowed to bring in “result-oriented” governance, forge unity and reboot the city’s economy. Despite the city’s mini-constitution promising universal suffrage, Hong Kong has never been a democracy, the source of years of public frustration and protests since the 1997 handover to China. The elevation of Lee, subject of US sanctions, places a security official in the top job for the first time after a tumultuous few years for a city battered by political unrest and debilitating pandemic controls.

John Lee's appointment is being seen as a move by China to tighten its grip on the city.

However, critics say those rights have been increasingly eroded as Hong Kong authorities crack down on dissent in the city. His role in the implementation of the law led to US sanctions against him and a dozen other officials, and a YouTube block on his 2022 election campaign. He was elevated to the leadership ranks last year, in a sign, analysts said, of Beijing's intention to focus on security in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG — Hong Kong's leader-in-waiting, John Lee, was endorsed for the city's top job on Sunday (May 8) by a committee stacked with pro-Beijing loyalists, as the financial hub attempts to relaunch itself after several years of political upheaval.

Advertisement Advertisement Eight voted to "not support" him.

Newly elected Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and his wife Janet celebrating on stage, on May 8, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee,” she said in a statement. Hong Kong’s first chief executive Tung Chee Hwa received 80 per cent of support from a 400-strong selection committee in 1996, defeating two rival candidates. He could travel to Beijing later this month to meet China’s top leaders, local media reported. The latter supported tougher anti-Covid-19 policies, while Mrs Lam was more concerned with foreign stakeholders' interests. Beijing imposed a wide-ranging national security law on Hong Kong the following year, and Mr Lee then led a crackdown on dissent under that law. Mr Lee will find himself - like all of the city’s previous leaders - sandwiched between Beijing’s demands and Hong Kong people’s interests. In the days ahead, the central government in Beijing is expected to formally appoint Mr Lee as Hong Kong’s new chief executive. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China’s State Council issued a 5,000-word article hailing Mr Lee as a good leader for the city. Acknowledging the myriad challenges in his path ahead, he added:“I am confident that the next administration will boldly and capably go about tackling the issues that Hong Kong faces.” “I have risen to this position today from the nobody I once was,” said a visibly emotional Mr Lee at the end of a media session after the results. Analysts said the true test lies in the days ahead, when the leader-in-waiting will have to unite a fractured Hong Kong society and deliver results promised after a painful three years of turmoil due to anti-government protests and the coronavirus pandemic. HONG KONG - Hong Kong’s chief executive hopeful John Lee won the top job on Sunday (May 8), securing over 99 per cent of votes cast in a small-circle election where he was the sole candidate in the running.