HONG KONG: Hong Kong's former security chief John Lee, 64, was sworn in as the city's new chief executive on Friday (Jul 1).
Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the inauguration of the new leader, a former Hong Kong security chief who oversaw the police response to Hong Kong's huge democracy protests in 2019.
In his speech on Friday, Lee said that the rule of law is a fundamental value for Hong Kong. He also said that the national security law has brought stability to Hong Kong after anti-government protests in 2019.
Lee was the only candidate in a Beijing-backed one-horse race to succeed outgoing leader Carrie Lam.
His elevation places a security official in the top job for the first time after a tumultuous few years for a city battered by political unrest and debilitating pandemic controls.
Lee's appointment has sparked concern that Beijing could further tighten its grip on Hong Kong.
He spent most of his civil service career in the police and security bureau, and is an outspoken and staunch supporter of a national security law imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 aimed at stamping out dissent.
His rise grew out of massive anti-government protests in 2019 that spiralled into violent clashes. As security secretary, he oversaw the police campaign to confront protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets, then rounded many of them up for arrest later.
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