He was behind the surveillance cameras, scrutinizing the excesses and supervising the repression of the pro-democracy movement, in 2019. Here he is now at the head of Hong Kong.
John Lee, ex-boss of the city's security, becomes its leader this Sunday, led by a small committee loyal to the Chinese regime, which seems to have appreciated its fervent support during the repressions.
The 64-year-old former police officer was the only candidate to succeed outgoing leader Carrie Lam, who did not seek a new five-year term.
The man, who also oversaw the severe political takeover that followed the crackdowns, is Hong Kong's first leader from a police background.
Just over 1,400 voters in a city of 7.5 million
Hong Kong has never been a democracy, which has fueled public frustration and sometimes massive and violent protests for years.
Its leader is chosen by an "electoral committee" currently composed of 1,461 people, or about 0.02% of the city's population.
Read alsoHong Kong: China opens a national security office
After a brief secret ballot on Sunday, 99% of members (1,416) voted for John Lee and 8 voted against, authorities said.
Thirty-three did not vote.
Beijing hailed the near-unanimous result, saying it showed "Hong Kong society has a high level of recognition and approval" for Lee.
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office hailed for its part "a true demonstration of the democratic spirit".
No demonstration possible
Demonstrations have been largely banned in Hong Kong, with authorities resorting to a ban on public gatherings of more than four people due to Covid, as well as a new national security law.
According to local media, around 6,000 to 7,000 police officers were mobilized to avoid any incidents during the designation process.
The League of Social Democrats, one of the last remaining pro-democracy groups, staged a three-person protest before the polls opened, chanting "power to the people, universal suffrage now".
"We know this action will have no effect, but we don't want Hong Kong to be completely silent," protester Vanessa Chan said as dozens of police watched.
The 3 activists -- Vanessa Chan, Dickson Chau and Yu Wai-pan -- were eventually arrested by police about a block away from the polling station.
"This is what John Lee's new chapter looks like, a shrinking of our civil liberties," Chan said.
pic.twitter.com/fwsGc5qsQy
— Holmes Chan (@holmeschan_) May 8, 2022
Under Xi Jinping, Beijing in 2020 imposed a draconian national security law on the former British colony that stifled dissent, as well as a reform of the political system to ensure that Hong Kong is ruled exclusively by "patriots". loyal to the Chinese regime.
John Lee inherits a struggling town
According to analysts, this is what allowed John Lee to gain the confidence of the Chinese regime, which is traditionally wary of Hong Kong's political elites.
“He is the man who passed the test,” confirms Lai Tung-kwok, his predecessor as head of Hong Kong security.
This also applies to John Lee to appear on a list of Chinese and Hong Kong personalities sanctioned by the United States.
VIDEO.
A protester wants to marry a policeman, her friends oppose it
The new leader, who takes office on July 1, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China by Britain, will inherit a struggling city.
The pro-democracy movement has been crushed by the national security law, but much of the population still harbors a deep resentment towards Beijing.
And anger against the inequalities, deeply rooted in Hong Kong society.
