HONG KONG - Leung Chun-ying, former convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, was officially declared the winner of the election of the fourth-term Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sunday.

At about 12:33 pm, Returning Officer Justice Poon Shiu-chor announced that of the 1,132 votes cast by members of the 1,200-member Election Committee, Leung Chun-ying won 689 votes.

Leung Chun-ying, former convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, celebrates with his wife Regina Tong Ching-yi as he attends a news conference after Leung won the chief executive election at a vote counting station in Hong Kong March 25, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The two other candidates, Henry Tang Ying-yen and Albert Ho Chun-yan, got 285 votes and 76 votes respectively.

At a press conference soon after the announcement, Leung who bowed and waved to the hailing audience said he was grateful for the support of the public throughout the campaign, and it was a privilege of him to serve the communities for the next five years as chief executive.

Hong Kong has many competitive advantages, people of Hong Kong are innovative, hardworking and adaptable, as long as we seek the opportunities, our economy will continue to thrive and the livelihood of our people will improve, Leung added.

Voting began at 9 am for two hours, with each member of the election committee entitled to cast a single vote by secret ballot.

A candidate must secure at least 601 votes to win the election.

The main polling station and the central counting station are both located at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.  

The three candidates were nominated on Feb 29, with Leung nominated by 305 members of election committee and Tang receiving supports from 390 members. Ho's nomination was endorsed by 188 members.

Incumbent Chief Executive Donald Tsang, whose term ends on June 30 this year, is barred from seeking a third term.

Leung Chun-ying, former convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, celebrates after winning the chief executive election, at a vote counting station in Hong Kong March 25, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]