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Bloomberg
The Hong Kong government confirmed that John Lee was only candidate nominated for chief executive, clearing the way for him to take power after an uncontested leadership election next month.
Lee, 64, a former chief secretary for administration and police official, received 786 valid nominations from the roughly 1,500-member Election Committee that picks the city’s leader, the government said. Support from more than half of the panel makes the election planned for May 8 a fait accompli.
A one-horse race had been widely expected after Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that she wouldn’t seek a second term, citing a need to spend more time with her family. China’s Liaison Office told local elites shortly after Lam’s announcement that Lee had the blessing of President Xi Jinping’s government to become chief executive, local media including the South China Morning Post reported.
Last week, Lee said he had received nominations from more than half of the committee, which Chinese lawmakers had overhauled last year, reducing the number of opposition votes.