Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first leader after the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule, has died aged 89.
Tung, a former shipping executive, took charge of Hong Kong in July 1997, succeeding the last British governor, Chris Patten, as the UK handed the territory back to China after more than 150 years of British rule.
His eight-year tenure was marked by the Asian Financial Crisis, major public health emergencies and some of the largest protests in Hong Kong’s history.
Tung died on Tuesday night surrounded by family and loved ones, according to local media. His office described him as a man “devoted to his country and its people”.
Born in Shanghai in 1937, Tung studied mechanical engineering at Liverpool University in the UK before moving to the United States, where he worked for General Electric for almost a decade.
He returned to Hong Kong in 1969 and joined his father’s shipping business, Orient Overseas. He eventually took control of the company in 1979.
Tung entered public life in 1992 after being appointed to Governor Chris Patten’s Executive Council.
Despite having limited political experience, he was widely believed to have been selected by Beijing to lead Hong Kong after the handover.
His close relationship with Beijing was highlighted in January 1996 when then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin crossed a crowded room at the Great Hall of the People to shake Tung’s hands.
The gesture was widely photographed and viewed at the time as a public signal of Beijing’s support for Tung.
Soon after he became chief executive, Tung faced a series of major challenges.
The Asian Financial Crisis sent Hong Kong property prices plunging, while his administration also dealt with a prolonged bird flu outbreak and the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or Sars.
But his most serious political crisis came in July 2003, when about half a million people took to the streets to oppose proposed national security legislation.
Critics feared the law would restrict Hong Kong’s civil liberties and political freedoms.
Faced with the unprecedented protests, Tung’s administration abandoned the legislation.
The protests weakened his administration and contributed to his resignation in March 2005.
His declining health was officially cited as a reason for stepping down, although some observers believed Beijing had pressured him to leave office.
Beijing eventually imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, arguing that it was necessary to preserve stability. Critics have described the legislation as a major erosion of the freedoms that distinguished Hong Kong from mainland China.
After leaving office, Tung remained active in Chinese political affairs and served as a vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body, for four consecutive terms.
His last public appearance was reportedly in July 2021 at an event marking the centenary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. He underwent heart surgery several months later.
Former Hong Kong leaders paid tribute to Tung following news of his death.
Leung Chun-ying, who served as chief executive from 2012 to 2017, described Tung as a “benevolent” leader who “won people over with reason.”
Carrie Lam, who led Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022, said his leadership made “a historic contribution with lasting benefits.”
China’s state news agency Xinhua described Tung as a renowned patriot, distinguished social activist, close friend of the Communist Party of China.
Tung is survived by his wife and three children.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
