Profile: John Lee, HKSAR’s sixth-term chief executive-elect

John Lee Ka-chiu became the sixth-term chief executive-elect of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sunday.

Lee was born in December 1957 in a working-class family in Hong Kong, but his family can be traced back to Panyu, now a district of the city of Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

After graduating with top grades from secondary school at Wah Yan College in Kowloon, Lee joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a probationary inspector in 1977.

During his more than 30-year career with the city’s police, Lee held various posts including chief superintendent, assistant commissioner, senior assistant commissioner and deputy commissioner of police. On his watch, the Hong Kong Police Force cracked a number of high-profile cases.

In September 2012, Lee was appointed as undersecretary for security of the HKSAR government, ending his police career.

In July 2017, the State Council appointed him as secretary for security of the HKSAR government and, in June 2021, as chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government.

In dealing with major events in recent years — including the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, the fight against the COVID-19 and the improvement to the HKSAR’s electoral system — Lee has taken a firm stance and fulfilled his responsibilities.

Making all-out efforts in safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and development interests and the fundamental interests of Hong Kong, Lee has won the support and respect of Hong Kong residents.

In April, Lee resigned the post of chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government and formally submitted his candidacy application for the chief executive election.

He said he decided to run in the election because of his loyalty to the country, his love for Hong Kong and his responsibility to its residents, and that he stands ready to meet the greatest challenge in his career of public service.

Lee’s election manifesto contains four tenets: to strengthen governance capability and tackle pressing livelihood issues together; to streamline procedures and provide more housing and better living; to enhance overall competitiveness and pursue sustainable development; and to build a caring and inclusive society and enhance upward mobility for youths.

Lee loves music. He married his wife Janet Lam in 1980. They have two sons.