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Jeffie Lam

Alibaba Group Holding has mourned the death of Tung Chee-hwa, who served as an independent director, saying the global perspective of Hong Kong’s first leader helped the e-commerce giant to remain rooted in the country while expanding internationally.
Tung, Hong Kong’s first postcolonial chief executive, later became a vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country’s top political advisory body.
He joined Alibaba Group’s board as an independent director in 2014 and held the position until 2022. He died on Tuesday at the age of 89.
Alibaba, which owns the South China Morning Post, said on Friday that Tung’s “invaluable contributions and full support” during his tenure had played a vital role in the company’s development.
“His global perspective helped Alibaba stay rooted in China while expanding globally,” it said.
The company described him as a “visionary leader, steadfast patriot and also an elder of noble character, humility and kindness” who always had placed Hong Kong’s and the nation’s development at heart.
“During the critical period of Hong Kong’s historical development, he led the city forward with courage and foresight, remaining dedicated to the city’s long-term prosperity and stability,” it said.
“He has always been mindful of the international community’s perception of China, dedicating himself to promoting exchanges, dialogue and mutual understanding between China and the world.”
Alibaba added that Tung’s contributions to Hong Kong and the country would be long remembered and admired.

A long-time proponent and facilitator of Sino-US relations, Tung became an independent director of Alibaba in 2014, shortly after the company’s initial public offering in New York.
Alibaba cited his extensive experience as a business and government leader, as well as his long record of strengthening ties between China and the United States, as reasons for inviting him to join its board.
Tung said at the time that he had joined the company because he agreed with the group’s mission to help small enterprises realise their potential and conduct business with a view to achieving sustainable development rather than short-term gains.
The following year, in 2015, Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma Yun announced the establishment of a HK$1 billion (US$128 million) fund to support young Hong Kong entrepreneurs shortly before attending a talk in the city organised by Our Hong Kong Foundation, a think tank founded by Tung. Ma is an adviser to the foundation.
The Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, a not-for-profit initiative, enabled eligible start-ups to access capital and build their businesses through the mainland Chinese company’s e-commerce platforms, affiliated companies and other services, including logistics and financial services.
The SCMP has learned that Hong Kong authorities are coordinating a state funeral for Tung, in recognition of his legacy as a deputy national-level leader and his contributions to the “one country, two systems” governing framework.
Since the 1997 handover, only two prominent local figures have been granted state funerals: industrialist Ann Tse-kai in 2000 and tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung in 2006. Both held the position of CPPCC vice-chairman, a role Tung also held.


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Tung Chee-hwa

Alibaba mourns former independent director Tung Chee-hwa, hails his global vision

Alibaba has mourned the death of former independent director Tung Chee-hwa, hailing his global perspective and contribution to the company’s development. Photo: Sam Tsang

Alibaba Group Holding co-founder and former executive chairman Jack Ma (right) embraces Tung Chee-hwa during a talk organised by Our Hong Kong Foundation at Taikoo Place in Hong Kong in 2015. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong’s first leader Tung Chee-hwa to be honoured with state funeral

Tung Chee-hwa poses for a portrait taken at the Office of Former Chief Executives in Mid-Levels in 2017. Photo: Antony Dickson

Tung Chee-hwa (right) leads the pallbearers carrying Henry Fok’s coffin during the property tycoon’s funeral in 2006. Photo: Handout 

Tributes flow in as Hong Kong mourns Tung Chee-hwa, pioneering first leader

Tung Chee-hwa poses for a portrait at the Office of Former Chief Executives in Mid-Levels in June 2017. Photo: Antony Dickson

Former Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa (left) gives his wife Betty Tung Chiu a kiss during the third anniversary celebrations of Our Hong Kong Foundation in 2017. Photo: Felix Wong

Tung bows to his supporters after delivering a re-election victory speech at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 12, 2002. Photo: Dustin Shum

Tung presides over the swearing-in of members of the Legislative Council on July 1, 1997. Photo: Antony Dickson

Tung meets former US President Bill Clinton in the White House in April 2000. Photo: Handout

Tung Chee-hwa’s rise to first Hong Kong chief executive and elder statesman

Tung Chee-hwa, the first chief executive of Hong Kong following the transfer of sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997, has died. Photo: May Tse

Chief executive-designate Tung Chee-hwa meets Hong Kong’s last governor, Chris Patten, in 1996. Photo: Robert Ng

Chinese President Jiang Zemin (left) shakes hands with Tung Chee-hwa during a duty visit in Beijing in December 2001. Photo: Xinhua

Tung Chee-hwa (right) and his successor, Donald Tsang (third from right), toast state and military officials during the 14th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover in 2011. Photo: Edmond So

Tung Chee-hwa is joined by Mickey and Minnie Mouse during a tour of Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 2000. Photo: AP

Tung Chee-hwa hailed as visionary leader who helped build US-China relations

President George W. Bush, right, greets Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on July 11, 2001. Photo: AP

Tung Chee-Hwa accompanies US President Bill Clinton into Government House for talks and a banquet shortly after Clinton’s arrival in Hong Kong on July 2, 1998. Photo: AFP

President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Microsoft founder Bill Gates during the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in Boao on the southern Chinese resort island of Hainan on April 8, 2013. Photo: AFP

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E-commerce giant pays tribute to Hong Kong’s first leader for helping the company stay rooted in country while expanding internationally


E-commerce giant pays tribute to Hong Kong’s first leader for helping the company stay rooted in country while expanding internationally.


Alibaba mourns former independent director Tung Chee-hwa, hails his global vision

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}E-commerce giant pays tribute to Hong Kong’s first leader for helping the company stay rooted in country while expanding internationally

E-commerce giant pays tribute to Hong Kong’s first leader for helping the company stay rooted in country while expanding internationally