Beijing's pick Lam chosen as HKong leader

published: 2017-03-31 07:30:32 (26 Mar 2017) A committee dominated by pro-Beijing elites chose Hong Kong’s next leader Sunday in the first vote since huge pro-democracy protests erupted over the election system in 2014. Carrie Lam, the government’s former No. 2 official and Beijing’s favoured candidate, received 777 votes and will become the first female leader for the city and its fourth since British colonial control ended. China’s communist leadership had lobbied for her so Lam’s victory came as no surprise. After the votes were counted, Lam bowed to the crowd and shook hands with second-place finisher, former finance secretary John Tsang, who received 365 votes. 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 residents.