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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

Tung Chee-hwa (centre) founded the China-United States Exchange Foundation in 2008. Photo: Handout

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.

51 minutes ago

Mainland China

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

13 Sep 2026 - 10:23PM

Hong Kong

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

12 Sep 2026 - 8:50PM

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

Tung Chee-hwa waves after announcing his resignation as Hong Kong chief executive during a news conference in Hong Kong on March 10, 2005. Photo: Reuters

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

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

Hong Kong society

Humble leader and role model for a generation: Hong Kong’s Tung Chee-hwa mourned

Tung, hailed as a ‘close friend of the Communist Party of China’ and credited with working to improve China-US relations, died on Tuesday.

10 Sep 2026 - 9:39AM

Hong Kong’s first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, died on Tuesday. Photo: Antony Dickson

Hong Kong politics

Tung Chee-hwa’s rise to first Hong Kong chief executive and elder statesman

Shipping tycoon steered city through stormy post-handover era of economic and health crises before helping improve US-China ties.

10 Sep 2026 - 12:42AM

Tung Chee-hwa, the first chief executive of Hong Kong following the transfer of sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997, has died. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong politics

Tung Chee-hwa feted for ‘deep belief in dialogue’ by China Institute of America

Hong Kong’s first chief executive honoured for efforts to deepen understanding between China and US at event commemorating institution’s first centennial.

30 May 2026 - 12:25AM

John Lee policy address 2025

What are some key policies by Hong Kong’s leaders that have changed the city?

As John Lee prepares to deliver his fourth policy blueprint on Wednesday, the Post looks at the legacy of city leaders over the past 28 years.

14 Sep 2025 - 7:00PM

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Tung Chee-hwa

(董建華)

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

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

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}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.

Humble leader and role model for a generation: Hong Kong’s Tung Chee-hwa mourned

Tung, hailed as a ‘close friend of the Communist Party of China’ and credited with working to improve China-US relations, died on Tuesday.

Tung Chee-hwa’s rise to first Hong Kong chief executive and elder statesman

Shipping tycoon steered city through stormy post-handover era of economic and health crises before helping improve US-China ties.

Tung Chee-hwa feted for ‘deep belief in dialogue’ by China Institute of America

Hong Kong’s first chief executive honoured for efforts to deepen understanding between China and US at event commemorating institution’s first centennial.

What are some key policies by Hong Kong’s leaders that have changed the city?

As John Lee prepares to deliver his fourth policy blueprint on Wednesday, the Post looks at the legacy of city leaders over the past 28 years.

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

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