China-backed John Lee to be new Hong Kong leader

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 the once-freewheeling financial hub. His appointment is being widely seen as a move by the Chinese government to tighten its grip on the city.  Lee oversaw the sometimes violent crackdowns on pro-democracy protestors in 2019. Lee won 1,416 votes from some 1,460 electors on Sunday, according to the returning officer at the election venue, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. That is more than the simple majority needed to confirm his appointment. He will start his five-year term as Chief Executive on July 1, succeeding Carrie Lam, who last month announced her decision not to run. Lee continued to back the bill despite the unrest, and came under intense criticism for sanctioning the police's use of water cannons, rubber bullets, tear gas and occasionally live ammunition to disperse protestors.Lee, who was the former Chief Secretary and the city's second-highest ranking official, was always tipped to be the favoured replacement for Ms Lam who earlier announced that she would not seek a second term in office. Sunday’s ballot was the city’s first to be held in more than two decades without at least a nominal contest, China’s political overhauls in the city last year made it all but impossible for an opposition candidate to compete and the Communist Party’s endorsement of Lee rendered his victory a fait accompli.