The Guardian Weekly

Beijing-backed ex-security chief becomes new leader

John Lee, the only candidate in the Beijing-backed race to succeed the outgoing leader, Carrie Lam, has been confirmed in the post.

The 64-year-old has a long career in police and security and oversaw the heavy-handed crackdown on anti-Beijing protesters in 2019. He was chosen by an “election committee” of 1,461 people, roughly 0.02% of the city’s 7.4 million population.

Like his predecessor, Lee was among the first Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials to be put on the US sanctions list for their role in undermining the city’s once-guaranteed rights.

Global Report

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2022-05-13T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-13T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://theguardianweekly.pressreader.com/article/281775632748251

Guardian/Observer