		<div class="wpcnt">
			<div class="wpa">
				<span class="wpa-about">Advertisements</span>
				<div class="u top_amp">
							<amp-ad width="300" height="265"
		 type="pubmine"
		 data-siteid="111265417"
		 data-section="1">
		</amp-ad>
				</div>
			</div>
		</div><p>Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said Chinese patriots are now firmly in charge of the city following the election of its new leader, who ran unopposed in a process controlled by Beijing from start to finish.</p>
<p>Ms Lam’s comments came a day after a carefully vetted election committee voted overwhelmingly to approve John Lee, a hard-line security chief who oversaw a crackdown on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.</p>
<p>The crackdown led to the imposition by Beijing of a sweeping National Security Law and the reorganisation of the regional legislature.</p>
<p>Political opponents were subsequently jailed, dissenting voices were silenced and the organised opposition quashed.</p>
<p>Appearing with Mr Lee, Ms Lam said such changes were necessary to restore order and stability in the Asian financial hub.</p>
<p>“I want to thank the central government again for taking resolute measures when Hong Kong faced unprecedented challenges,” said Ms Lam, who is stepping away after a single five-year term as leader.</p>
<p>“It formulated the National Security Law, which helped Hong Kong transform from chaos to order, and also improved Hong Kong’s electoral system so that we can achieve long-term peace and stability,” Ms Lam said.</p>
<p>Mr Lee won more than 99% of the vote cast by the 1,500 members of the election committee.</p>
<p>While China cited the need to restore order as the motivation for political change in Hong Kong, the demand that only patriots – defined as those loyal to the ruling Communist Party – could hold office was a central theme.</p>
<p>The establishment of the political system of “patriots running Hong Kong” is vital for Hong Kong’s future, Ms Lam said.</p>
<p>Mr Lee will replace Ms Lam on July 1 and take over a city that has in the past five years been through the tumultuous days of the 2019 pro-democracy protests, the ensuing crackdown and the recent coronavirus outbreak that overwhelmed Hong Kong’s healthcare system and prompted Beijing to send in medics and build temporary quarantine facilities.</p>
<p>The handover of power will incorporate the formation of a new government, the continuation of epidemic control measures and preparations for the 25th anniversary celebration of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.</p>
<p>Mr Lee said he and Ms Lam exchanged views on forming a new government during their Monday morning meeting, but gave no indication of any new direction for his administration.</p>
<p>He has said he wants to ensure Hong Kong’s position as a centre for financial deal-making while improving quality of life for the 7.4 million citizens of one of the world’s most expensive cities.</p>
<p>However, national security concerns are expected to trump all other issues, fuelling speculation about a further deterioration of civil rights, free speech and the rule of law.</p>
<p>Ms Lam said her government would “render all the necessary assistance and support” to assist with the handover, ensuring Mr Lee “will lead Hong Kong to a greater height in the next five years.”</p>
			<div style="padding-bottom:15px;" class="wordads-tag" data-slot-type="belowpost">
				<div id="atatags-dynamic-belowpost-68cd1f51d0d68">
					<script type="text/javascript">
						window.getAdSnippetCallback = function () {
							if ( false === ( window.isWatlV1 ?? false ) ) {
								// Use Aditude scripts.
								window.tudeMappings = window.tudeMappings || [];
								window.tudeMappings.push( {
									divId: 'atatags-dynamic-belowpost-68cd1f51d0d68',
									format: 'belowpost',
								} );
							}
						}

						if ( document.readyState === 'loading' ) {
							document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', window.getAdSnippetCallback );
						} else {
							window.getAdSnippetCallback();
						}
					</script>
				</div>
			</div>
Discover more from London Glossy Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
