Tung Chee-hwa lauded for contributions to HK

Political leaders who previously served under Hong Kong's first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, honored the late leader's memory on Sunday, lauding his visionary mindset and substantial contributions to the city's progress. Tung succumbed to illness on Tuesday at the age of 89. In a Commercial Radio interview, former Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung recalled Tung as a shrewd leader who remained open to opposing viewpoints during critical crises.

She highlighted his patience in listening to all parties, even when he disagreed, as well as the trust he garnered from the central government. "He always allowed us to articulate our positions clearly," Leung stated. Leung also emphasized Tung's trust in the city's unique situation, which enabled them to take bold actions, such as requesting clarification on the Basic Law from the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Other former officials, including Tam Yiu-chung and Fanny Law, echoed Leung's sentiments, praising Tung's dedication to Hong Kong's stability and development. Tam acknowledged Tung's profound comprehension of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and his early advocacy for the city's integration into the broader national development.

Law stressed Tung's unwavering commitment to education and youth development, even during the economic downturn caused by the 1997 Asian financial crisis.