Hong Kong’s new Prime Minister: “We have no influence”

John Lee was Hong Kong’s security chief – now the Beijing-loyal ex-cop is to take over the office of head of government. While citizens without the right to vote are resigned, experts express doubts about his competence.

A market in the Wan Chai district of central Hong Kong Island sells fruit, vegetables, toys and towels. Most people there do not want to comment on the appointment of the new head of government.

Few speak as openly as a 30-year-old Hong Konger: “To be honest, when it comes to electing the head of government, a small committee controlled by the pro-Beijing camp decides. The public in Hong Kong is hardly involved. In other words: We have no influence.”

Former police officer John Lee has been chief of security in the former British colony for the past several years. He played a crucial role in the implementation of the so-called National Security Law, which the central government in Beijing passed for Hong Kong two years ago.

On the basis of this law, many political activists have been sentenced in recent years, media houses have been closed, political discourse has been restricted and civil society has been pushed back.

“Everyone must obey the law”

For China’s state and party leadership, Lee is the preferred candidate to succeed Prime Minister Carrie Lam.

“Democracy, freedom and justice are important in Hong Kong. We are a rule of law society and we uphold the rule of law spirit,” Lee said on a TV program a few days ago. “That’s why I emphasize: All people must obey the law. That’s one of the basic ideas of the rule of law.”

For democracy activists and opposition figures who are in prison, have fled abroad or remain silent for fear of repercussions, Lee’s words may sound like mockery, says Sophie Richardson. She is responsible for China at the human rights organization Human Rights Watch.

“Lee is known for blocking transparency,” she explains, referring to the allegations of police brutality against protesters in 2019. “That raises serious doubts about how serious he is about the rule of law.”

Hardly any criticism of the government can be heard

In Hong Kong itself, members of the opposition or activists hardly speak out for fear of repression. Tens of thousands have left China’s SAR, most of them living in the UK. The London government has made it easier for anyone born in the British colony to settle in Britain before July 1, 1997, the date Hong Kong was handed over to the People’s Republic.

One living in British exile is pro-democracy politician Carmen Lau. “What is happening in Hong Kong is like a drama. It’s not just us Hong Kongers in exile who don’t care about the election, but also those who are still here,” she says. “Because it no longer matters who is the head of government.”

Expert doubts Lee’s suitability

On Sunday, the 64-year-old Lee is to be elected by a non-democratically legitimized body – as the new chief executive, as the head of government in the Chinese special administrative region is called. The election committee is controlled by the communist central government in Beijing. There are no opposing candidates.

One of his priorities: quarantine-free travel between Hong Kong and the mainland – which currently seems a long way off due to the strict zero-Covid policy in mainland China. He wants to boost the economy in the city of 7 million and do something about the housing shortage in Hong Kong:

“We have nothing to do with it”

Hong Kong political scientist Chung Kim-wah, who recently also lived in British exile, has doubts about Lee’s competence. “He’s been a policeman all his life and has never been involved in the areas that are so important to Hong Kong: economy and foreign trade,” he says. Lee has no experience in health or social policy, housing or education. “It is therefore only logical to doubt whether he is competent enough or has sufficient knowledge to deal with these fields that are so important for Hong Kong.”

At the small market in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district, many are disillusioned and don’t think that anything big will change with Lee as prime minister. “It’s not really a choice,” says a 70-year-old. “He’s the only candidate. I still hope he does a good job and we Hong Kongers don’t have too many worries.”

“We have nothing to do with it, we don’t vote for it,” says a 35-year-old. “We have no connection to the 1,500 voters. So we have no feelings and no expectations. If we could afford it, we would leave Hong Kong.”