Carrie Lam declares her victory in the chief executive election of Hong Kong

No surprise: Beijing’s pick Lam chosen as Hong Kong’s leader

The candidate favored by China’s Communist leadership was chosen as Hong Kong’s new leader yesterday, in the first such vote since huge pro-democracy protests erupted over the city’s election system in 2014.

A committee dominated by pro-Beijing elites selected Carrie Lam, the Hong Kong government’s former No. 2 official, as the financial hub’s chief executive. Lam received 67 percent of the vote and will become Hong Kong’s first female leader and its fourth since British colonial control ended in 1997.

China’s leaders had lobbied behind the scenes for the 59-year-old Lam, so her victory came as no surprise. After the votes were counted, she bowed to the crowd and shook hands with the second-place finisher, former Finance Secretary John Tsang.

Some pro-democracy supporters in the official seating area yelled slogans and held up a yellow umbrella, the symbol of the 2014 protests, as the results were announced. The elite election committee was at the root of the protests as activists decried the lack of a direct choice by Hong Kong’s 3.8 million registered voters.

Lam is an efficient and pragmatic administrator, but is unpopular with Hong Kongers because she’s seen as a proxy for Beijing and out of touch with ordinary people. Tsang, in contrast, is highly popular because of his easygoing persona and deft use of social media. He has been nicknamed “Pringles” or “Uncle Chips” in Cantonese for his signature mustache that draws comparisons to the snack food mascot. His followers call themselves “small potatoes.”

Lam received 777 of the 1,163 votes. Tsang got 365 votes, or 31 percent, while the third candidate, retired judge Woo Kwok-hing, had 21 votes.

As the next leader of the Asian financial center, Lam will inherit a city split by political divisions and saddled with sluggish economic growth. Many fear that Beijing is tightening control and undermining the “one country, two systems” framework that guarantees Hong Kong high autonomy. Those fears have been amplified by cases in recent years such as five booksellers secretly detained on the mainland and a Chinese tycoon’s mysterious disappearance.

Lam’s ability to soothe tensions relies on how much public support she can gain.

“My priority will be to heal the divide and to ease the frustrations and to unite our society to move forward,” she said at a news conference after the results were announced.

Lam said she would not immediately revive attempts to revamp the electoral system, a potential political flashpoint that could rekindle protests by pro-democracy supporters. She said she wanted to focus on other more pressing issues such as housing, education and health care.

“There is a serious divide in Hong Kong, so why don’t we start with the easier subjects and try to reach consensus” on how to tackle those other problems first, she said.

Lam will take office on July 1, succeeding current leader Leung Chun-ying, who cited family reasons when he ruled out a second term. Political analysts suspect Beijing asked Leung, a highly polarizing figure, to step aside for someone better liked.

Members of the Hong Kong’s election committee include tycoons like Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong’s richest person. They represent industry and trade groups such as finance, accounting, real estate and textiles. Most support China’s Communist leaders and are expected to vote according to their wishes.

Hong Kong lawmakers, local councilors and delegates to China’s rubber-stamp parliament also have votes, and some 326 seats, mostly in the education, legal, health and social welfare sectors, are held by pro-democracy supporters. Kelvin Chan, Hong Kong, AP

Pro-democracy protesters against ‘fake election’

Hundreds of protesters – including some pro-Beijing demonstrators, waving national flags – were separated from the convention center by scores of police officers and barricades. One pro-democracy group unfurled a huge banner proclaiming “I want genuine universal suffrage” from Lion Rock, which overlooks Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor. “It’s a fake election,” said protester Ng Chi-fai, 52, who was concerned that Lam would follow in Leung’s footsteps. “I believe Hong Kong people will be upset by this and will be more united to oppose her.” There were some scuffles with police officers during a protest against the chief executive election.

Lui Che-woo says Lam is ‘more pragmatic’

I always say she’s [Lam] more pragmatic,” Lui Che-woo, the billionaire founder of Galaxy Entertainment Group, told reporters before voting. “She has a practical and realistic style. Hong Kong must rely on this kind of people.”

Carrie Lam has held about 20 positions over 36 years, including a 2007-12 stint as development secretary when she persuaded villagers to relocate to make way for new projects. As Leung’s top deputy, she was known for championing China’s policy goals without inspiring the same animosity from the opposition as her boss.

That reputation took a hit during a December trip to Beijing, when Lam – who was then mulling a run – announced plans to build a Hong Kong offshoot of China’s Palace Museum. The surprise move prompted a backlash with lawmakers accusing her of failing to consult the public about the project or her choice of architect.