Former chief executive steered city in its formative years after return to the motherland

Condolences poured in from all quarters of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sept 9 as the city mourned the death of its former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, who was remembered for his deep devotion and lasting contribution to the city’s development.

Tung, also a former vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, passed away peacefully at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital late on Sept 8 at the age of 89, surrounded by his family.

Born in Shanghai in 1937, Tung spent his childhood in Hong Kong before pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom.

He had already established himself in Hong Kong’s corporate scene and held various public sector and advisory roles before becoming the HKSAR’s inaugural chief executive in July 1997.

He steered Hong Kong through its formative years after its return to the motherland and played a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle and the Hong Kong Basic Law.

Tung steadied the Hong Kong SAR through the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s, and the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2003.

He also helped fast-track the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, a free-trade agreement signed in June 2003 which has since granted Hong Kong businesses privileged access to the

Chinese mainland market, and secured the Individual Visit Scheme from the central government to boost local tourism.

Tung left office in 2005, citing poor health. He was awarded the city’s highest honor — the Grand Bauhinia Medal — in 2006, and a national honorary medal in 2019 that recognized his pivotal work on Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and his contribution to the implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy.

The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee expressed its heartfelt condolences on Sept 9, saying that Tung’s tenure as chief executive marked a pioneering phase in which the “one country, two systems” policy evolved from a visionary concept into a concrete reality.

The office added that he united the authorities and all sectors of society in successfully addressing a series of complex political, economic and social challenges, while firmly safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

In a message of condolence on Sept 9, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR said that Tung grew up during a time of national crisis and was instilled with a patriotic education from an early age, firmly believing that patriotism is a natural duty.

Tung actively took part in consultations on national policies and major issues, contributing ideas and suggestions to the country’s reform and opening-up and its modernization drive, the liaison office said.

Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu noted that Tung’s efforts in steering Hong Kong through the Asian financial crisis facilitated the city’s robust economic recovery and maintain social prosperity and stability.

While serving as vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Tung also played a key role in uniting local communities to deepen Hong Kong’s engagement with the international community, elevating the city’s role and influence on the global stage.

“His lifelong and monumental contributions to Hong Kong will forever be etched on our memory,” Lee said.

Former Hong Kong SAR chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who served as chief secretary for administration and financial secretary under Tung, described him as empathetic, diligent and forward-thinking.

“Facing adversity, he never gave up. With extraordinary perseverance, he overcame difficulties,” said Tsang.

Condolences also came from the Macao Special Administrative Region. Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai said that Tung had long supported exchanges between the two SARs and their integration into the country’s overall development.

Contact the writers at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com