Hong Kong's first post-colonial leader laid to rest with state funeral

Hong Kong held a state funeral on Sunday for Tung Chee-hwa, the city’s first leader following the end of colonial rule, with dozens of political and business figures paying their final respects to the former Chief Executive.

Tung, who passed away at the age of 89 on 8 September, led the Special Administrative Region of China through the handover of sovereignty from the United Kingdom in 1997, the Asian financial crisis, and the SARS outbreak in 2003.

He resigned in 2005 during his second term following widespread public opposition to plans to introduce national security legislation in Hong Kong, amid concerns that the rules would erode civil liberties.

Tung subsequently served as the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s highest political advisory body.

The ceremony on Sunday was led by Shi Taifeng, Head of the Organisation Department of the Communist Party of China and a member of the Politburo. In his speech, Shi praised Tung’s contributions to China’s ‘one country, two systems’ governance framework, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and Beijing official Xia Baolong, who oversees Hong Kong affairs, were among those attending the tribute ceremony.

Tung’s coffin, draped in the national flag of China, was carried by pallbearers, including Lee, into the funeral hall before being taken for cremation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other high-ranking officials expressed “deep condolences” over Tung’s passing and “sincere sympathy” to the bereaved family, Xinhua reported.

Tung, a shipping business heir who became Hong Kong’s first Chief Executive, attained the highest office in 1996 through a Beijing-backed selection committee.

He accompanied Chinese President Xi Jinping on visits to the United States in 2012 and 2015, before his last public appearance in July 2021.