Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor meets the press after winning the election in Hong Kong, south China, on March 26, 2017. Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on March 26 won the election of the fifth-term chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) (XINHUA)

Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor won the election of the fifth-term chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on March 26, vowing to do her utmost to safeguard the "one country, two systems" principle.

The Electoral Affairs Commission of the Hong Kong SAR declared that Lam garnered 777 of 1,163 valid votes, followed by Tsang Chun-wah with 365 and Woo Kwok-hing with 21.

A candidate wins the election when he or she obtains more than 600 valid votes in any round of voting and will be appointed by the central government, according to Hong Kong's Basic Law and the Chief Executive Election Ordinance.

After the appointment, the winner will take oath of office on July 1 and become the fifth-term chief executive.

In her speech to the press after winning the election, Lam said "I shall do my utmost to uphold 'one country, two systems' and to guard our core values."

"With care, listening and action, I will build a better Hong Kong," she said.

"The victory ...that I have in this election is very much the effort of my team and myself and the supporters who believe I can take Hong Kong forward."

She also said that she will give opportunities to young people, and her first priority will be to "heal the divide."

Another candidate Tsang Chun-wah conceded his defeat and called on his supporters to back the upcoming new administration.

"I accept this outcome," he said, asking his supporters to "lend her your support."

Incumbent Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on March 26 congratulated Lam for winning the fifth-term chief executive election.

"The fifth-term chief executive election has just concluded smoothly," Leung said in a statement on the results of the election.

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mrs. Carrie Lam (Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor) on her successful election and I will submit later today a report of the election results to the Central People's Government," he said.

Leung said the present-term government of the Hong Kong SAR and he himself will ensure a "seamless transition," adding that "we will fully support the preparation for forming the new term of government."

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2017)