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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

Village houses at Yau Kom Tau, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, in 2023. Since the colonial era, restrictions on land supply and the sale of development rights have generated substantial government revenue. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong is trying a new solution to its land value problem

After decades of lucrative land sales, can the city finally build a system in which the land itself creates economic value?

28 Sep 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | To understand where Hong Kong is going, start with Tung Chee-hwa

27 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM

Hong Kong Sports Institute

Letters | Hong Kong can provide its snowboarders with a route to success

22 Sep 2026 - 11:30AM

Diplomacy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can keep the talking going when US-China officials don’t

Hong Kong can’t set the terms of the contest, but with Track 1.5 diplomacy, it can decide if it is the room in which competition is managed.

22 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM

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.

21 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong politics

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

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

21 Sep 2026 - 12:04AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Video | Tung Chee-hwa honoured with state funeral

The funeral followed a vigil held the previous day at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, which drew dozens of political and business heavyweights who paid their respects to the late leader.

20 Sep 2026 - 3:50PM

03:43

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

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

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

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

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

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Tung Chee-hwa

(董建華)

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How Hong Kong is trying a new solution to its land value problem

After decades of lucrative land sales, can the city finally build a system in which the land itself creates economic value?

Opinion | To understand where Hong Kong is going, start with Tung Chee-hwa

Letters | Hong Kong can provide its snowboarders with a route to success

Opinion | How Hong Kong can keep the talking going when US-China officials don’t

Hong Kong can’t set the terms of the contest, but with Track 1.5 diplomacy, it can decide if it is the room in which competition is managed.

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

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

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

The funeral followed a vigil held the previous day at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, which drew dozens of political and business heavyweights who paid their respects to the late leader.

‘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.

Opinion | How Hong Kong is trying a new solution to its land value problem

Video | Tung Chee-hwa honoured with state funeral