Beijing-Backed Carrie Lam Wins Hong Kong's Chief Executive Election

Carrie Lam won Hong Kong’s Chief Executive election on Sunday, March 26, and will become the first female to assume the role when she takes the oath of office on July 1.

The former Chief Secretary clinched 777 votes, beating rivals John Tsang and Woo Kwok-hing, who claimed 365 and 21 votes respectively.

Lam’s election by a 1,149-person committee, specially selected from various sectors of the economy, was reported to be largely comprised of Beijing loyalists.

In her victory speech, Lam vowed to “heal the divide, to ease the frustrations, and to unite society to move forward.”

Pro-democracy political group Demosisto announced that they would stage a “large civil disobedience protest” on the day of Lam’s ascension to office. Credit: Information Services Department, HKSARG via Storyful