Carrie Lam elected first female chief executive of Hong Kong

World Today

Hong Kong’s former chief secretary Carrie Lam will serve as the city’s first female leader. The Special Administrative Region elected Lam to serve as its fifth-term chief executive. Lam plans to focus on the economy and reforming government agencies.

CGTN’s Li Jiejun reports from Hong Kong.

“Here with humanity, I stand as chief executive-elect of the Hong Kong special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China,” Carrie Lam said. “I’m ready to begin a new chapter in our journey together. ” 

Proposed reforms to Hong Kong’s Basic Law were rejected by the Legislative Council in the wake of massive pro-democracy protests in 2014. Almost 1,200 members of Hong Kong’s election committee remain responsible for choosing the Special Administrative Region’s leaders.  Lam garnered 777 of the 1,163 valid votes, followed by John Tsang Chun-wah with 365 and Woo Kwok-hing with 21.

Carrie Lam has promised to focus on the economy, providing jobs, and reforming government agencies. She says she’s aware that many people in Hong Kong dream of being able to vote directly, but she adds that political reforms should be shelved for a more appropriate time. 

Hong Kong is a divided society, with many of its younger residents calling for independence from the Chinese mainland. Lam’s victory has led to some protests. But true to her campaign slogan “We Connect,” Lam promises to bridge the divide in all communities. 

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Liao Fan discusses the Hong Kong election results</span>

For an in-depth discussion on Carrie Lam’s victory and what it means for Hong Kong, CGTN’s Susan Roberts spoke to Professor Liao Fan, deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation, Institute of International Law, Chinese Academy of Social Science.