Former Hong Kong Leader Tung Chee-hwa Laid to Rest with State Honors

October 4, Hong Kong (RAS/AFP) – The former Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Tung Chee-hwa, who led the city through its early transitional years following its handover to China in 1997, was laid to rest with state honors on Sunday. The funeral ceremony was attended by Chinese officials and Hong Kong political leaders. This marks the third state funeral held in Hong Kong since its transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. Tung, who served as Hong Kong’s Chief Executive from 1997 to 2005, passed away on September 8 at the age of 89.

A shipping magnate, Tung faced significant challenges during his nearly eight-year tenure, including the Asian financial crisis, the SARS epidemic, and widespread public protests. Garlands of flowers were placed outside the Hong Kong Funeral Home where the ceremony took place. A live broadcast by Hong Kong media showed Tung’s coffin draped with the Chinese flag being carried out following the ceremony. The venue did not permit media access inside.

Among those leaving the funeral site together were Politburo member of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Taifeng, Director of China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong, and Hong Kong’s current Chief Executive John Lee. According to one attendee, approximately 200 individuals were invited to the ceremony. Others paid tribute to Tung at memorial sites established at three locations across Hong Kong. After Tung’s passing, the Chinese government portrayed him as a close friend of the Communist Party and a key figure in implementing the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.