Hong Kong Holds State Funeral for First Post-Colonial Leader Tung Chee-hwa

A state funeral was held Sunday in Hong Kong for Tung Chee-hwa, the city's first post-colonial leader. Tung, a shipping magnate who served as chief executive from 1997 to 2005, guided the city through its initial years after its handover from British to Chinese rule.

Chinese officials and Hong Kong political leaders attended the service, which was the third state funeral in the former British colony since the 1997 handover. Tung died on Sept. 8 at the age of 89.

Among the attendees were Shi Taifeng, a member of China's ruling Communist Party Politburo, and Xia Baolong, director of China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office. They were seen leaving the service in a minibus with Hong Kong's current leader, John Lee.

Flower wreaths lined the wall outside the Hong Kong Funeral Home, and Tung's casket, draped in a Chinese flag, was visible in online streams of the service provided by Hong Kong media. The media were not permitted inside the funeral home.

Approximately 200 people were invited to the service, according to an attendee who spoke with the South China Morning Post. An additional three venues were set up around the city for those wishing to pay their respects.

Following Tung's death, the Chinese government described him as a close associate of the Communist Party and a significant contributor to the "one country, two systems" framework governing Hong Kong and Macao. The framework also applies to Macao, a former Portuguese colony returned to China in 1999.

Tung's tenure as chief executive coincided with significant challenges, including the Asian financial crisis shortly after he took office. In 2003, Hong Kong was impacted by the SARS epidemic, which resulted in nearly 300 deaths and further economic disruption.

Also in 2003, an estimated half-million people participated in street protests against a proposed anti-treason law, which was perceived as a threat to civil liberties. The government eventually withdrew the proposal. Tung resigned from his position in 2005, citing health reasons.

The 2003 protest marked a turning point, leading to years of pro-democracy demonstrations. These culminated in the 2019 protests, which were followed by a crackdown and the imposition of a national security law by Beijing in 2020.

After stepping down as chief executive, Tung was elected vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's primary political advisory body. In 2019, he was among 42 individuals recognized with national medals and honors for their contributions to China.