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John Lee, former No. 2 official in Hong Kong and the only candidate for the city's top job, celebrates with his wife after declaring his victory in the chief executive election of Hong Kong in Hong Kong, Sunday, May 8, 2022.
Kin Cheung/AP
HONG KONG — John Lee was elected as Hong Kong's next leader Sunday, after winning over 99% of votes cast by a largely pro-Beijing election committee.
Lee received 1,416 votes in the chief executive election, far exceeding the 751 votes he needed to win and the highest support ever for the city's top leadership position. The Election Committee's nearly 1,500 members cast their votes in a secret ballot Sunday morning.
"I look forward to all of us starting a new chapter together, building a Hong Kong that is caring, open and vibrant, and a Hong Kong that is full of opportunities and harmony," Lee said in his victory speech.
Lee will replace current leader Carrie Lam on July 1.
As the only candidate in the polls, Lee was widely expected to win, especially since he had Beijing's endorsement and last month obtained 786 nominations from members of the Election Committee in support of his candidacy.
Lam congratulated Lee in a statement and said she would submit the election results to Beijing.
"The present-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the support needed for the assumption of office by the new term of government," Lam's statement said.
