Leung elected Chief Executive

Long-shot outsider Leung Chun-ying was elected yesterday by Hong Kong’s elite as the next Chief Executive.

“CY,” as he is also known, will assume office July 1 and will serve for seven years. He replaced Donald Tsang

Leung won 689 of the votes from the Beijing-appointed 1,200-strong election committee consisting of business leaders and other elites that chooses Hong Kong’s leader. His major rival, Henry Tang, received 285 votes while pro-democracy candidate Albert Ho got 76 votes.

China immediately congratulated Leung on his election. Xinhua news agency quoted a Chinese government official in Hong Kong as saying Leung’s election was in accordance with the Basic Law and the election law of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.

Leung was chosen despite his insufficient experience in business and government and his limited support from the city’s elite. He benefited from a string of scandals afflicting Tang, who began the race as the overwhelming favorite to win and was Beijing’s choice. Tang was the former Financial Secretary.

Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters demanding a direct election of the Chief Executive gathered at the waterfront convention center where the vote was held.

Following his election, Leung pledged to maintain Hong Kong's rights and freedoms. Beijing has promised direct elections as early as 2017 but has not made any specifics about this intent.

Leung, a former property consultant, was the Convenor of the Executive Council until his resignation in September 2011. He was past president of Hong Kong’s Institute of Surveyors.

Leung is Hong Kong’s third Chief Executive since 1997.