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John Lee, former Chief Secretary for Administration (64, Lee Ka-chiu), who ran alone in the Hong Kong Chief Executive election, held a press conference on the 29th to announce his pledges and posed holding promotional materials. Photo by AP, Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Chinese authorities sent a congratulatory message to John Lee (64), former Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration, who was elected as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

On the 8th, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council announced on its website immediately after Lee's election was confirmed, "The much-anticipated 6th Chief Executive election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was successfully held," and "We congratulate candidate John Lee on his election."

The office emphasized that Hong Kong's new electoral system was successfully implemented, stating, "The new electoral system aligns with the 'one country, two systems' principle and has proven to be a good system suited to Hong Kong's circumstances."

It added, "This election was held after a significant transition period during which the previously turbulent Hong Kong began to regain stability," and "Its significance and impact are very large, attracting great attention from various sectors."

The office positively evaluated John Lee, saying, "Immediately after declaring his candidacy, he visited various figures, gathered public opinion, and widely publicized his election ideology and pledges throughout society," and "He met with election committee members and participated in TV Q&A sessions and interviews to express his views on the future government and Hong Kong's development."

Furthermore, "Especially, John Lee's election as Chief Executive with a high vote share reflects the strong sympathy and approval of Hong Kong society," and "Public opinion expects Lee, who has a background as a security minister and former Chief Secretary for Administration, to have rich experience and strong execution ability, and to show a firm stance during the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law)."

However, the Chinese authorities' evaluation contrasts with public opinion within Hong Kong surrounding Lee.

Hong Kong citizens negatively assess Lee, noting that he is a former police officer with no administrative experience and that his pledge to reform the civil service, including breaking bureaucratic inertia, is seen as "adding pressure to the civil service, which has begun to shrink since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law."

Lee, who served as a police officer for over 30 years, is known for his hardline crackdown on anti-government protests in Hong Kong in 2019 and for shutting down Hong Kong media outlets such as Apple Daily, which were unfriendly to the Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese government appointed Lee as Chief Secretary for Administration in June.

Meanwhile, Lee ran unopposed in the indirect election held by the 1,500-member (currently 1,461 members) Election Committee on the same day and was elected with a record-high support rate of 94%.

The election took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for about two hours and 30 minutes. The turnout was 97.74%, with 1,428 out of 1,500 members participating.

Four election committee members voted from COVID-19 quarantine facilities. There were a total of 8 opposing votes and 4 abstentions.

John Lee will assume the five-year term as Chief Executive on July 1, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover.

This is the first time that a former police officer has taken the Chief Executive position in Hong Kong, a role traditionally held by administrative officials.