Chinese Hardliner John Lee Wins Joke of Election to Lead Hong Kong
CLOSE(D) RACE
He will replace Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who has led Hong Kong since 2017. His appointment is seen as a way for China to tighten its grip on the city.
The man known for his role in cracking down on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong will now lead the city. After a closed election with only one candidate, John Lee was named the new chief executive, replacing Carrie Lam, who held the role since 2017. Critics say Lee’s “victory” is an effort by Beijing to clamp down even more on the city, which has been struggling for its independence since being handed back to China by the U.K. in 1997. Lee was elected by a committee of 1,500 members who the BBC called “pro-Beijing loyalists.”
