John Lee, a former beat cop who became Hong Kong's security chief and played a key role in suppressing democracy protests, became the business hub's new leader on Friday in a ceremony overseen by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"It is the greatest honour for me today to shoulder this historic mission given to me by the central authorities and the people of Hong Kong," Lee said in his inauguration speech, thanking Beijing for its support.

Lee, 64, was anointed as Hong Kong's next chief executive by a small committee in May, winning 99 percent of the votes in a choreographed, Beijing-blessed race in which no other candidates stood.

Xi later said Lee's government would deliver a "new chapter" for Hong Kong.

Lee's elevation caps a remarkable rise for a man whose police career lifted him from a working-class family to the upper echelons of Hong Kong's political establishment.

It also places a security official in the city's top job for the first time, a man who was pivotal in the quashing of huge democracy protests in 2019 and Beijing's subsequent political crackdown.

Insiders say Lee's unwavering commitment to that role won China's confidence at a time when other Hong Kong elite were seen as insufficiently loyal or competent.

"John Lee is the one that the central government knows the best, because he was in constant contact and interaction with the mainland," pro-establishment lawmaker and prominent business figure Michael Tien told AFP earlier this year.

Lee, who is under US sanctions, spent 35 years in the police before jumping to the government in 2012, followed by a swift rise to the top.

Law and order remained his portfolio, with him serving in the Security Bureau and then leading it before becoming the city's number two official last year.

- Flares and long hair -

Lee, a Catholic, grew up poor in Sham Shui Po -- one of wealthy Hong Kong's working-class districts -- but made his way to an elite boys' school run by Jesuits.

Peter Lai, a former banker and classmate, described him as a clever and fashionable teenager who grew long hair and wore flared trousers.

Most of his contemporaries went to university, but Lee turned down an offer to study engineering to join the police.

He later told a pro-Beijing newspaper he was motivated by being bullied by neighbourhood hooligans.

Two former classmates gave a more practical reason -- the police force offered a stable career for Lee and his pregnant wife Janet.

Lee has not spoken much about his family and has dodged questions about whether his wife and two sons still hold British nationality, something he renounced when he joined the government.

As events began on Friday morning, Lee's new social media accounts posted a picture of his wife fixing his tie, thanking her for "silently supporting me and taking care of the family over the years".

- Business acumen? -

Given his security background, it seems unlikely Lee will reverse Beijing's campaign against dissent.

Where he will enter less familiar territory is the world of business.

Hong Kong, once a vibrant, multicultural business hub, has been cut off internationally during the pandemic as it shadows Beijing's strict zero-Covid strategy.

Its economy is struggling and there has been an exodus of talent.

Danny Lau, a small business association leader, said Lee was not an ideal candidate but that he would reserve judgement.

"I hope he can consider Hong Kong's international competitiveness and does not waste time on making laws unhelpful for the city's economy," Lau told AFP.

But others say Lee's appointment confirms that China now puts Hong Kong's political security ahead of business and livelihood issues.

"In the past, China might compromise for some economic benefits," Charles Mok, a former pro-democracy lawmaker now living overseas, told AFP.

"But now it seems Beijing wants its people to feel that the world is full of threats and it's only safe to stick closely to the (Communist) Party."

Hong Kong: a turbulent road from the handover
Hong Kong (AFP) June 30, 2022 - Hong Kong has had a turbulent history since it was handed over from Britain to China 25 years ago.

Here are some key dates.

- 1997, the handover -

On June 30, 1997, at midnight, Hong Kong is returned to Chinese sovereignty after 156 years of British rule.

The tiny territory has its own mini-constitution that governs its autonomy as a Special Administrative Region within China. Beijing promises a "One Country, Two Systems" approach to the territory, meaning it will maintain freedoms that are not available to mainland Chinese.

The city is governed by a chief executive, chosen by a Beijing-controlled committee. Laws are passed by a legislative council, of which only a minority of members is democratically elected.

- Financial, then health crisis -

In October 1997, just months after the handover, the Asian financial crisis grips Hong Kong, plunging the financial hub into an economic slowdown.

Five years later a pneumonia-like virus named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) kills 299 people in Hong Kong and 1,800 worldwide and devastates Asian economies.

- 2003, China steps in -

Beijing seeks to relaunch Hong Kong's economy, moving in 2003 to gradually lift customs barriers on Hong Kong products exported to the mainland.

Travel restrictions on Chinese from the mainland are eased, boosting the number of tourists.

- 2003, national security bill -

In July 2003, an unprecedented half a million of Hong Kong's population of seven million march against an unpopular national security bill, which they see as an attempt by Beijing to restrict their freedoms.

The bill is subsequently dropped, a rare government climbdown.

- 2004, Call for more democracy -

In January 2004, 100,000 people march through the city calling for more democracy, bringing to a head a simmering row over the constitution's diffidence on electoral reform. China in April rules out a swift change.

In July, hundreds of thousands of protesters again come out to demand more democracy.

- 2007, Universal suffrage promised -

In 2007, Beijing schedules for 2017 the first democratic election of the chief executive, and for 2020 elections to the legislative council. The promises disappoint pro-democracy demonstrators who were demanding universal suffrage from 2012.

- 2014, Umbrella Movement -

In 2014, Beijing proposes a limited version of universal suffrage -- Hong Kongers will be able to choose from a small group of Beijing-vetted candidates.

The announcement sparks a 79-day occupation of major thoroughfares known as the "Umbrella Movement". The protesters secure no concessions from Beijing, an outcome that prompts a minority of protesters in subsequent years to harden their positions, including advocating Hong Kong independence.

- 2019, Massive protests -

In 2019, the Hong Kong government tries to fast-track a bill through the legislature that would allow extraditions to China's Communist Party-controlled courts.

The move sparks the biggest protests Hong Kong has witnessed since the handover.

Millions take to the streets during seven months of unrest while a smaller section of hardcore protesters frequently battle police in often-violent confrontations that see thousands arrested.

The movement soon morphs into a new call for democracy and police accountability but is eventually suppressed.

- 2020, Covid-19 -

In January 2020, Hong Kong is one of the first territories to be affected by the coronavirus epidemic.

The executive takes drastic measures, including a ban on public gatherings, effectively ending the pro-democracy demonstrations.

- 2020, National security law -

In June 2020 Beijing passes a national security law for Hong Kong, bypassing the local legislature.

China's security agencies will be able to operate publicly in the city for the first time.

And Beijing will have jurisdiction over some cases, toppling the legal firewall that has existed between Hong Kong and mainland courts.

Calls for independence or for greater autonomy are banned.

Since then most of the pro-democracy leaders have been jailed, given up politics or fled abroad.

Many Western powers say the law has ended the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" approach, which was supposed to be in place until 2047.

- 2021, Electoral reform -

In March 2021, China approves a radical "patriots only" reform of the electoral system which completely sidelines the opposition.

In May 2022, Hong Kong's former security chief John Lee, who oversaw the clamp down on the pro-democracy movement, is nominated to govern the city in a selection process where he faced no rivals.

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Xi hails China's rule over Hong Kong at handover anniversary
Hong Kong (AFP) July 1, 2022
President Xi Jinping hailed China's rule over Hong Kong on Friday as he led 25th anniversary celebrations of the city's handover from Britain, insisting that democracy was flourishing despite a years-long political crackdown that has silenced dissent. Xi's speech was the finale of a two-day victory lap aimed at celebrating the Chinese Communist Party's control over the once outspoken business hub after authorities stamped out huge democracy protests. Since Beijing imposed a national security law ... read more