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Tung Chee-hwa

(董建華)

Tung Chee-hwa

董建華

Tung Chee-hwa was a shipping tycoon who served as Hong Kong’s first chief executive from 1997 to 2005. He went on to become an elder statesman and key backchannel envoy between China and the US before passing away in 2026 at age 89.

Born

July 7, 1937

Died

September 8, 2026

Hong Kong

Editorial | Tung’s legacy helps lay foundations for better tomorrows

Hong Kong’s first chief executive will be remembered for his commitment to the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and for ideas that have proved to be visionary.

7 minutes ago

Hong Kong politics

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

21 Sep 2026 - 12:04AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Video | Tung Chee-hwa honoured with state funeral

20 Sep 2026 - 3:50PM

Hong Kong

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

‘He always placed national interests first and throughout his life upheld the belief that patriotism is a natural conviction,’ Shi Taifeng says in eulogy.

20 Sep 2026 - 5:57PM

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

Hong Kong

Xi sends condolences as Hong Kong holds state funeral for Tung Chee-hwa

President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese officials, including Premier Li Qiang, pay tribute after funeral attended by 200 members of city’s establishment and family.

20 Sep 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Hong Kong

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

Beijing leaders send wreaths ahead of former chief executive’s state funeral as residents stream into community centres to sign condolence books.

20 Sep 2026 - 12:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong

Top Hong Kong officials, business leaders mourn Tung Chee-hwa – as it happened

Vigil at Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point attended by city’s top leaders, with state funeral to be held on Sunday.

20 Sep 2026 - 12:22AMvideocam

Hong Kong

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

The South China Morning Post shares reflections from people who knew Hong Kong’s first chief executive.

19 Sep 2026 - 1:00PM

Hong Kong society

Friend, leader, mentor: how political veterans remember Tung Chee-hwa

Figures from Hong Kong and beyond reflect on Tung as a friend, city leader and elder statesman.

19 Sep 2026 - 1:02PMvideocam

Jack Ma

‘In hard times, your honour shines’: Jack Ma pays tribute to Tung Chee-hwa

Alibaba Group co-founder looks back on his ties to Hong Kong’s first chief executive, spanning business and philanthropy.

20 Sep 2026 - 12:42PMvideocam

Jack Ma (right) has shared his own tribute to the late Tung Chee-hwa. Photo: Sam Tsang

SCMP

A man who built bridges over walls: SCMP’s Tammy Tam on Tung Chee-hwa

SCMP publisher recalls Tung as ‘humble and unpretentious personality’ who helped foster ties between China and the United States.

19 Sep 2026 - 1:04PM

Tammy Tam talks to Tung Chee-hwa during the SCMP China Conference in 2020. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong

Hongkongers pay tribute to late leader Tung Chee-hwa at community halls

Residents lay flowers and leave messages in condolence books ahead of vigil on Saturday and state funeral on Sunday.

18 Sep 2026 - 8:33PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | Blanket of security planned for state funeral of Tung Chee-hwa in Hong Kong

Beijing officials Shi Taifeng, Wang Dongfeng and Xia Baolong to arrive on Saturday, but memorial service will be invitation-only, sources say.

18 Sep 2026 - 10:47AMvideocam

Hong Kong racing

Sunday’s Sha Tin races cancelled due to state funeral for Tung Chee-hwa

The Jockey Club said the weekend’s 10-event card would not go ahead as “a mark of respect” for the city’s first chief executive.

16 Sep 2026 - 5:59PM

Sunday’s Sha Tin race meeting has been cancelled. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong politics

Top Chinese official leads 87-member committee for Tung Chee-hwa state funeral

Shi Taifeng, Politburo member and No 1 vice-chairman of CPPCC, is funeral committee head, with vigil on Saturday and public memorial service on Sunday.

16 Sep 2026 - 10:23PM

Tung Chee-hwa died peacefully in hospital with family members by his side last Tuesday at the age of 89. Photo: Robert Ng

Hong Kong society

Foundation collects tributes to Hong Kong’s Tung Chee-hwa for online memorial

China-United States Exchange Foundation has collected more than 100 reflections on Tung from political and business heavyweights.

15 Sep 2026 - 9:28AM

Mainland China

Tung Chee-hwa remembered for foresight in developing Hong Kong’s tech sector

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also praises Tung for his ‘steady and visionary leadership’ in a condolence letter to Hong Kong.

13 Sep 2026 - 10:23PM

Hong Kong

State funeral for Hong Kong’s first chief executive Tung Chee-hwa set for September 20

State leaders and central government officials expected to join funeral committee for Tung, source says.

12 Sep 2026 - 8:50PM

Former city leader Tung Chee-hwa died on Tuesday at the age of 89. Photo: SCMP

Hong Kong politics

As I see it | Tung Chee-hwa had a clear vision for Hong Kong

The city’s first post-handover leader had strategic instincts to spare, but not the tactical and political skills needed for execution.

12 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM

Alibaba

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

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

11 Sep 2026 - 4:20PM

Mainland China

Mainland Chinese pay tribute to Tung Chee-hwa for opening door to Hong Kong

Solo-travel scheme introduced in 2003 opened city to millions, shaping unforgettable memories for generation of mainland visitors.

10 Sep 2026 - 10:53PM

Tung Chee-hwa played a key role in getting the central government to approve the solo-travel scheme by incorporating it into the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement deal. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Video | Tung Chee-hwa: Hong Kong remembers its first chief executive

The late shipping tycoon steered the city through a stormy post-handover era of economic and public health crises before helping to improve US-China ties.

10 Sep 2026 - 8:01PM

06:03

Hong Kong politics

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

City government coordinating arrangements to honour Tung as deputy national-level leader and his contributions to ‘one country, two systems’ framework.

11 Sep 2026 - 10:35AMvideocam

Hong Kong

Editorial | Tung’s legacy continues to inspire city under ‘one country, two systems’

Hong Kong’s first chief executive navigated the uncharted waters of an unprecedented governance formula and helped lay the foundations of the city’s future success.

10 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong

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

Former business magnate faced difficult crisis during tenure, but officials and former colleagues praise his compassion and ‘brave leadership’.

10 Sep 2026 - 8:09PMvideocam

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

Hong Kong politics

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

US consulate, the George H.W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations and former city leader Donald Tsang highlight his pivotal diplomatic legacy.

10 Sep 2026 - 8:12PMvideocam

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

Hong Kong society

Tung Chee-hwa remembered as kind, approachable Hong Kong leader

People who worked closely with Tung praise him as ‘kind-hearted’, ‘exceptionally hard-working’ and inspired others to take up public office.

10 Sep 2026 - 8:10PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Ex-Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa worked to bridge US-China divide in last years

In one of his final public engagements, Tung visited SCMP headquarters in Causeway Bay in 2020 to deliver keynote speech at China Conference.

9 Sep 2026 - 11:11PMvideocam

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Tung Chee-hwa

(董建華)

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Tung’s legacy helps lay foundations for better tomorrows

Hong Kong’s first chief executive will be remembered for his commitment to the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and for ideas that have proved to be visionary.

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

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Tung Chee-hwa honoured with state funeral

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

‘He always placed national interests first and throughout his life upheld the belief that patriotism is a natural conviction,’ Shi Taifeng says in eulogy.

Xi sends condolences as Hong Kong holds state funeral for Tung Chee-hwa

President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese officials, including Premier Li Qiang, pay tribute after funeral attended by 200 members of city’s establishment and family.

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

Beijing leaders send wreaths ahead of former chief executive’s state funeral as residents stream into community centres to sign condolence books.

Top Hong Kong officials, business leaders mourn Tung Chee-hwa – as it happened

Vigil at Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point attended by city’s top leaders, with state funeral to be held on Sunday.

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

The South China Morning Post shares reflections from people who knew Hong Kong’s first chief executive.

Friend, leader, mentor: how political veterans remember Tung Chee-hwa

Figures from Hong Kong and beyond reflect on Tung as a friend, city leader and elder statesman.

‘In hard times, your honour shines’: Jack Ma pays tribute to Tung Chee-hwa

Alibaba Group co-founder looks back on his ties to Hong Kong’s first chief executive, spanning business and philanthropy.

A man who built bridges over walls: SCMP’s Tammy Tam on Tung Chee-hwa

SCMP publisher recalls Tung as ‘humble and unpretentious personality’ who helped foster ties between China and the United States.

Hongkongers pay tribute to late leader Tung Chee-hwa at community halls

Residents lay flowers and leave messages in condolence books ahead of vigil on Saturday and state funeral on Sunday.

Exclusive | Blanket of security planned for state funeral of Tung Chee-hwa in Hong Kong

Beijing officials Shi Taifeng, Wang Dongfeng and Xia Baolong to arrive on Saturday, but memorial service will be invitation-only, sources say.

Sunday’s Sha Tin races cancelled due to state funeral for Tung Chee-hwa

The Jockey Club said the weekend’s 10-event card would not go ahead as “a mark of respect” for the city’s first chief executive.

Top Chinese official leads 87-member committee for Tung Chee-hwa state funeral

Shi Taifeng, Politburo member and No 1 vice-chairman of CPPCC, is funeral committee head, with vigil on Saturday and public memorial service on Sunday.

Foundation collects tributes to Hong Kong’s Tung Chee-hwa for online memorial

China-United States Exchange Foundation has collected more than 100 reflections on Tung from political and business heavyweights.

Tung Chee-hwa remembered for foresight in developing Hong Kong’s tech sector

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also praises Tung for his ‘steady and visionary leadership’ in a condolence letter to Hong Kong.

State funeral for Hong Kong’s first chief executive Tung Chee-hwa set for September 20

State leaders and central government officials expected to join funeral committee for Tung, source says.

As I see it | Tung Chee-hwa had a clear vision for Hong Kong

The city’s first post-handover leader had strategic instincts to spare, but not the tactical and political skills needed for execution.

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

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

Mainland Chinese pay tribute to Tung Chee-hwa for opening door to Hong Kong

Solo-travel scheme introduced in 2003 opened city to millions, shaping unforgettable memories for generation of mainland visitors.

Video | Tung Chee-hwa: Hong Kong remembers its first chief executive

The late shipping tycoon steered the city through a stormy post-handover era of economic and public health crises before helping to improve US-China ties.

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

City government coordinating arrangements to honour Tung as deputy national-level leader and his contributions to ‘one country, two systems’ framework.

Editorial | Tung’s legacy continues to inspire city under ‘one country, two systems’

Hong Kong’s first chief executive navigated the uncharted waters of an unprecedented governance formula and helped lay the foundations of the city’s future success.

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

Former business magnate faced difficult crisis during tenure, but officials and former colleagues praise his compassion and ‘brave leadership’.

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

US consulate, the George H.W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations and former city leader Donald Tsang highlight his pivotal diplomatic legacy.

Tung Chee-hwa remembered as kind, approachable Hong Kong leader

People who worked closely with Tung praise him as ‘kind-hearted’, ‘exceptionally hard-working’ and inspired others to take up public office.

Ex-Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa worked to bridge US-China divide in last years

In one of his final public engagements, Tung visited SCMP headquarters in Causeway Bay in 2020 to deliver keynote speech at China Conference.

Editorial | Tung’s legacy helps lay foundations for better tomorrows

Video | Tung Chee-hwa honoured with state funeral