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Matthew Cheng

Jess Ma

Ng Kang-chung

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders sent condolences from Beijing as Hong Kong bade farewell to the city’s first postcolonial leader, Tung Chee-hwa, at a sombre yet poignant state funeral on Sunday.
A report by the official Xinhua News Agency praised Tung, who died on September 8 at the age of 89, as “an outstanding contributor to ‘one country, two systems’, a renowned patriot, an outstanding social activist and a close friend of” the Communist Party of China.
“While Tung was critically ill, the central authorities expressed deep concern over his condition,” it said. “Xi Jinping and other central leaders instructed the [liaison office in Hong Kong] to convey best wishes and demanded all-out efforts to treat Tung.”
Xinhua also reported that following Tung’s death, Xi, Premier Li Qiang and other members of the leadership “expressed their deep grief in various forms and extended sincere condolences to [Tung’s] family”.
They included Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; Wang Huning, the chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Politburo Standing Committee members Cai Qi and Li Xi; Vice-President Han Zheng; and former president Hu Jintao.

Tung was a shipping tycoon elected to run Hong Kong after the 1997 handover from British to Chinese sovereignty.
He resigned midway through his second term in 2005, citing health reasons, and served as a vice-chairman of the CPPCC, the country’s top political advisory body, until 2023.
As residents stood watching and row upon row of white floral wreaths of tribute spilled onto the pavements around the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, figures drawn from the highest circles of power in politics and business in mainland China and Hong Kong arrived for the state funeral, only the third in the city since the handover.
Among those paying their final respects were Shi Taifeng, Politburo member and first vice-chairman of the CPPCC; Wang Dongfeng, CPPCC vice-chairman and secretary general; Leung Chun-ying, a CPPCC vice-chairman and former city leader; and Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.
Also attending the funeral were incumbent city leader John Lee Ka-chiu, who together with CY Leung was among the pallbearers. Predecessors Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor were also present.

The ceremony began at around 9am with attendees standing in silent tribute. A portrait of Tung hung in the funeral hall, surrounded by white orchids symbolising love and respect. A banner on top read “Deepest condolences to Mr Tung Chee-hwa”.
Delivering a eulogy, Shi praised Tung for his role in helping to build US-China relations, as well as in quelling the 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong and in safeguarding national security.
“He always placed national interests first and throughout his life upheld the belief that patriotism is a natural conviction,” said Shi, who visited the city as chairman of Tung’s funeral committee.
“His patriotism was in all sincerity and his love for Hong Kong was profound. He had a broad vision and a staunch stance. He was a practitioner and contributor to the great cause of ‘one country, two systems’.”
The principle, adopted upon the handover, governs relations between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Shi also highlighted Tung’s handling of major challenges during his tenure, including the 1997 financial crisis and his defence against foreign financial predators who attempted to “snipe” the Hong Kong currency in 1998 and the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2003.

He recognised Tung’s efforts to promote the nation’s foreign ties and cooperation, particularly the stable development of Sino-US relations, including by founding the China-United States Exchange Foundation in 2008.
He called on the public to remember Tung’s legacy, carry forward his patriotism and spirit of perseverance and dedication, and resolutely implement the “one country, two systems” principle to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity.
“[Tung’s] passing is a major loss to Hong Kong and also a major loss to the country,” Shi said.


The funeral ended at around 10am, and Tung’s coffin, draped in the national flag, was accompanied by sombre pallbearers, white roses tucked into the front-breast pocket of their black suits.
Wearing white gloves, Leung and Lee led the coffin out of the hall with eight others, including liaison office head Zhou Ji, Legislative Council president Starry Lee Wai-king, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung and tycoon Victor Fung Kwok-king.
The coffin was placed in a hearse, which was escorted by police vehicles with lights flashing and residents watching silently as it wound through the streets east to the Cape Collinson Crematorium in Chai Wan for the cremation.
Tung’s widow, Betty Tung Chiu Hung-ping, was supported by family members as she left the funeral home.

Members of Tung’s governance team, including his chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang, his financial secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung and his justice secretary Elsie Leung Oi-sie were also seen attending either the funeral or the vigil held on Saturday.
At several condolence points set up by the government, Hongkongers lined up to write messages in memorial books.
At the North Point Government Offices, Chan Kam-wai, 78, recalled that Tung visited her family at Wah Fu Estate decades ago and praised him as a “kind man who improved the city’s housing policy”.
“I think he just headed off to another world to keep working,” said Chan, referring to Tung’s famous “7-11” dedication to putting long hours into the job.
A resident surnamed Cheng recalled Tung as a good leader, despite pushback against some of his policies.
“Sometimes differing views are inevitable,” Cheng said. “Given that era and circumstances he faced, it can only be said that the situation was not in his favour.”

State-run China Central Television reported Tung’s funeral in its main evening newscast, running footage of the proceedings and the hall packed with guests dressed in black.
The 3½-minute report, carried as the third item, showed the rows of wreaths from Xi, Premier Li, the State Council, the CPPCC, the National People’s Congress and various central government units lining the funeral hall.
Other senders included Foreign Minister Wang Yi, former president Hu and former premier Wen Jiabao.
The Jockey Club also cancelled Sunday’s race meeting as a mark of respect, and all off-course betting branches were closed.
Tung shares the rare distinction of a state funeral with industrialist Ann Tse-kai in 2000 and tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung in 2006, both of whom were also CPPCC vice-chairmen.
A resident signing the public condolence book in North Point recalled Tung as a patriot and kind leader, who displayed courage and calm despite criticism over his policies.
“I never saw him speak with anger,” the 64-year-old woman surnamed Tang said. “He was so gentle, so kind, warm and welcoming to everyone he met.
“Even facing heavy criticisms, he stayed calm and good‑natured. He could always respond with a smile. This made me admire him deeply. In my heart, he was absolutely the best.”


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Hong Kong politics

The coffin with the body of Tung Chee-hwa is carried by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (front left pallbearer) and Leung Chun-ying (front right pallbearer), a CPPCC vice-chairman and former city leader, at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point on Sunday. Photo: Handout

Shi Taifeng, Politburo member and first vice-chairman of the CPPCC, delivers a eulogy, saying Tung “always placed national interests first”. Photo: Handout 

Tung Chee-hwa’s coffin is draped with the national flag at the funeral home. Only two other state funerals have been held in the city since the 1997 handover. Photo: Karma Lo

Mourners leave the funeral home, which was lined with floral wreath tributes. Photo: Elson Li

Son Alan Tung Lieh-sing (left) and widow Betty Tung (centre) attend the service. Photo: Karma Lo

The hearse arrives at the Cape Collinson Crematorium in Chai Wan. Photo: Kit Lai

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong leaves the service. Photo: Karma Lo

Leung Chun-ying helps carry the coffin. Photo: Karma Lo

John Lee at the service. Photo: Karma Lo

‘Staunch patriot, close friend’: Beijing official hails Tung Chee-hwa’s legacy

Tung Chee-hwa is credited with establishing shipping lines connecting the mainland to North America and Europe. Photo: Ricky Chung

Tung Chee-hwa (second left) celebrates the signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with then Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and other officials in June 2003. Photo: Pool

Hong Kong’s political, business elite pay final respects to Tung Chee-hwa

A portrait of Tung Chee-hwa is displayed in the funeral hall. Photo: Kit Lai

Wreaths line the pavement outside the Hong Kong Funeral Home. Photo: Kit Lai

Liaison Office director Zhou Ji (left) attended the vigil around 2.30pm. Photo: Kit Lai

Former Hong Kong No 2 official Anson Chan also paid her respects. Photo: Kit Lai

Former justice chief Elsie Leung (second right) attended the vigil. Photo: Karma Lo

Rita Fan, the first Legco president after the 1997 handover, arrives at the Hong Kong Funeral Home. Photo: Kit Lai

Henry Cheng of New World Development attends with his daughter Sonia Cheng. Photo: Kit Lai

(From right) Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Martin Liao and his wife Priscilla Wong, and Lester Huang attend the vigil. Photo: Karma Lo

Cardinal Joseph Zen visited the Moreton Terrace Activities Centre. Photo: Karma Lo

Patriot dedicated to Hong Kong: business heavyweights remember Tung Chee-hwa

Tung Chee-hwa was the first chief executive of Hong Kong. Photo: C.Y. Yu

The cover of the South China Morning Post’s special print supplement. Photo: SCMP

Joe Tsai with Tung Chee-hwa at the SCMP’s office in Hong Kong in 2020. Photo: Edmond So

Joe Tsai says Tung Chee-hwa set an example for all of us as a man of honour, integrity, loyalty and leadership. Photo: Edmond So

Tung Chee-hwa’s work in highlighting the global significance of stable Sino-US relations was praised. Photo: May Tse

Peter Woo with Tung Chee-hwa at an event back in 1998. Photo: SCMP

Annie Wu and Tung Chee-hwa. Photo: Handout

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In sombre ceremony, political and business elite pay final tribute to city’s first postcolonial leader, as President Xi sends condolences


In sombre ceremony, political and business elite pay final tribute to city’s first postcolonial leader, as President Xi sends condolences.


‘His love for Hong Kong was profound’: Tung Chee-hwa honoured at state funeral

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}In sombre ceremony, political and business elite pay final tribute to city’s first postcolonial leader, as President Xi sends condolences

In sombre ceremony, political and business elite pay final tribute to city’s first postcolonial leader, as President Xi sends condolences