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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

Rita Fan is Hong Kong's first Legislative Council president. Photo: Kit Lai

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong should review reducing number of Legco seats to cut costs, Rita Fan says

‘A friend of mine always says keeping 90 seats costs a lot more than 60, and I kind of agree with that,’ first post-handover Legco president says.

4 Oct 2026 - 7:00PM

Hong Kong

Opinion | When Tung became Hong Kong’s first chief executive, there was no handbook

2 Oct 2026 - 9:13AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

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

28 Sep 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

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

To understand Tung is to understand the historical moment in which he stood; Hong Kong’s post-1997 journey started there.

27 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM

A painting by Chow Chun-fai depicts the iconic scene of the handover, at Art Basel Hong Kong in 2025. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong Sports Institute

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

Readers discuss how the city can support its snowboarders, former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa’s contributions, and the AI poses.

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

A photo of Hong Kong’s first chief executive Tung Chee-hwa is displayed at Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point on September 19. Photo: Kit Lai

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

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

Tung Chee-hwa was the first chief executive of Hong Kong. Photo: C.Y. Yu

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

Tung Chee-hwa was a shipping tycoon who went on to become Hong Kong’s first chief executive. Photo: Ricky Chung

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

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

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

Residents mourn Tung Chee-hwa at Moreton Terrace Activities Centre in Causeway Bay. Photo: Edmond So

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

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

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

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

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

Alibaba has mourned the death of former independent director Tung Chee-hwa, hailing his global perspective and contribution to the company’s development. Photo: Sam Tsang

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

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Tung Chee-hwa

(董建華)

Hong Kong should review reducing number of Legco seats to cut costs, Rita Fan says

‘A friend of mine always says keeping 90 seats costs a lot more than 60, and I kind of agree with that,’ first post-handover Legco president says.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | When Tung became Hong Kong’s first chief executive, there was no handbook

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

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

To understand Tung is to understand the historical moment in which he stood; Hong Kong’s post-1997 journey started there.

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

Readers discuss how the city can support its snowboarders, former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa’s contributions, and the AI poses.

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.

Opinion | When Tung became Hong Kong’s first chief executive, there was no handbook

Video | Tung Chee-hwa honoured with state funeral