mixed reaction from business community to John Lee as Hong Kong’s next potential leader

• Many see Beijing’s backing of Lee as a indication that national stability would get top priority
• They expressed hope that Hong Kong’s No 2 official would be helpful to the organization community in a bid to sustain the city’s place as a world financial hub

Diplomats and enterprise leaders have expressed each careful optimism as effectively as disappointment at the chance of John Lee Ka-chiu using Hong Kong’s top rated position. The city’s No 2 formal resigned on Wednesday, paving the way for a operate in future month’s main govt election as the sole prospect with Beijing’s blessing.

A lot of saw the endorsement of Lee as Beijing putting emphasis on countrywide security, but felt the policeman-turned minister’s means to maintain Hong Kong’s spot as a world-wide economic hub would hinge on the depth of his cabinet.

A Hong Kong-dependent consul general from a European region, who satisfied Lee when he was protection minister, described the male as “a capable and really serious manager”.

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“My own impact is that he does not appear throughout as a quite political determine, but is no question witnessed in Beijing as a reliable operator who will do what he is requested to do by the central authorities,” the specific, who spoke on problem of anonymity, explained to the Submit.

“I think Beijing would like to protect Hong Kong as an international financial centre but I have no doubt that for Beijing, countrywide security and more strengthening political management more than Hong Kong comes 1st,” the consul general added.

As it happened: Hong Kong ex-No 2 John Lee to sign up for leadership race

A deputy consul typical from a different European place, who also does not want to be named, famous that Lee’s endorsement shown “it is what Beijing wants additional than what Hongkongers want”.

The diplomat’s private assessment was that by backing Lee, Beijing would prioritise countrywide safety in the coming years. Endorsing Economic Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, in the meantime, would have indicated a concentration on the economic system and finance.

A different senior diplomat centered in Hong Kong said that whilst it was not a have to to have a leader with a history in finance, it was even now vital for the city’s following main government to have an understanding of Hong Kong’s very important function in the economic globe.

The diplomat claimed it was clear that to effectively govern the metropolis, the subsequent chief required to have the trust of Beijing. Geared up with that, and an comprehension of Hong Kong’s special posture, Lee could make certain success as chief executive.

“I imagine what is actually essential now going forward is restoring the assurance of both equally Beijing as properly as the foreign group and I consider to do that, you do have to fully grasp the relevance of Hong Kong as a world wide money hub,” the diplomat explained.

Lee emerged as the frontrunner after Main Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor introduced on Monday she would not find a second time period, citing family members good reasons.

Was Carrie Lam’s legacy cut brief or did she cultivate her downfall?

Hong Kong experienced under no circumstances experienced a job policeman as the city’s No 2 formal until finally Lee took up the put up in June previous yr. The 64-year-outdated experienced led the Stability Bureau for four several years from 2017 ahead of currently being promoted to chief secretary.

Stewart Leung Chi-kin, govt committee chairman of the Genuine Estate Builders Affiliation of Hong Kong, explained he was self-confident that builders could cultivate a cordial marriage with Lee despite minimal conversation on the functioning stage earlier. The organisation counts all of the city’s key builders as associates.

“In our placement, it’s straightforward. The authorities must address the housing requires of the community, whether or not the desires are private or public, and present plenty of land for personal builders to offer with these types of needs,” he explained.

“The govt does not have to give pros to builders, but there should usually be interaction, as true estate serves as an significant pillar for the city’s economic system.”

© Supplied by South China Early morning Write-up
Just one diplomat mentioned that whilst it was not a ought to to have a chief with a track record in finance, it was nonetheless important for the city’s upcoming main government to fully grasp Hong Kong’s crucial role in the economic earth. Photo: Sunshine Yeung

Amusement tycoon Allan Zeman, who has recognised Lee for 20 several years, described the previous prime police officer as a “good and open-minded person”.

Zeman claimed he believed Beijing’s choice for Lee stemmed from wanting a “trustworthy male” to be certain nationwide security and enact the city’s possess laws to put into action Post 23 of the Fundamental Legislation.

© Provided by South China Early morning Publish
Enjoyment tycoon Allan Zeman has recognized John Lee for two decades. Photo: Edmond So

An American financial commitment supervisor and very long-term resident agreed that he did not check out Lee’s lack of finance working experience as a problem as extended as Monetary Secretary Paul Chan was in his cupboard.

“Paul Chan has the capacity. He has demonstrated it. He is a pretty great communicator. He has been an exceptional finance secretary,” he stated.

The chairman of a small business chamber of just one of the Asean nations, who wished to remain nameless, explained he considered Lee would be a very good chief even if he experienced confined exposure to the enterprise earth.

“He is a really humble particular person, mixes around, and is aware a lot of people today. One factor excellent about him we have seen among the businesspeople is he listens. He consults people, he grew up with humble beginnings and did not go to faculty right up until he joined the law enforcement drive,” he claimed.

The chairman stated he believed Lee would be welcoming to both of those the area and foreign small business communities as “he is now pretty immersed” in them.

© Offered by South China Morning Publish
Hong Kong experienced hardly ever experienced a occupation policeman as the city’s No 2 official till Lee took up the publish in June final calendar year. Photo: Felix Wong

The head of yet another foreign business chamber mentioned he was ready to give Lee the “gain of the question,” and hoped the new chief government would hear to organization chambers. A crucial concern, he reported, was the ongoing vacation limitations and ban of non-people from viewing the metropolis.

“For Hong Kong to be an eye-catching Asia’s entire world town and as a money centre, I feel you will need to make positive that it continues to be an beautiful spot for persons and their households to reside and get the job done in, and for these persons to be also from companies, exterior of purely finance,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, a senior foreign businessman said he considered a lot of in the business neighborhood had greeted Lee’s operate for the leading position with disappointment, because of to his deficiency of business enterprise practical experience.

“There’s no indicator that he has any fascination in company. He is just about hardly ever been exterior Hong Kong and has incredibly minimal concentrate on what Hong Kong needs to be, which is a organization centre,” he stated.

A former lawmaker, who at the moment will work in the business sector, mentioned that Lee had been sanctioned by the United States considering the fact that 2020, together with at least a dozen of previous and existing officials associated in the implementation of the countrywide security regulation.

“The perception would be relatively negative for Hong Kong to deliver these a leader overseas to go over organization opportunities,” he warned.

More reporting by Tony Cheung

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This report initially appeared on the South China Morning Put up (www.scmp.com), the foremost news media reporting on China and Asia.

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