Foundation collects tributes to Hong Kong’s Tung Chee-hwa for online memorial

The China-United States Exchange Foundation has unveiled an enduring digital memorial to Hong Kong’s inaugural chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, and gathered over 100 tributes from prominent figures worldwide. Established by Tung himself in 2008, the foundation’s webpage debuted on Monday, featuring reflections from luminaries such as Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and former U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus.

Foundation President James Chau emphasized that the memorial not only commemorates Tung’s distinguished public service but also upholds his belief in dialogue as a means to foster global peace, progress, and prosperity. It aims to inspire future generations to champion the cause that Tung passionately supported.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore, both contributed to the memorial. Goh highlighted their long-standing friendship dating back to the 1970s when they were both in the shipping industry, describing Tung as a “helpful, sincere, trustworthy friend” whom he had known for more than half a century.

Muhammad Yunus praised Tung’s life as one of “quiet but determined service,” underscoring his role in guiding Hong Kong through a tumultuous transition and fostering understanding between China and the U.S. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, and retired U.S. Admiral William Owens also paid their respects, praising Tung’s role as a “citizen diplomat” who believed that China and the U.S. shared common goals and could coexist peacefully through dialogue.

Other tributes came from past presidents of the United Nations General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft, former World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan, and Alibaba Group Holding Chairman Joe Tsai, who owns The South China Morning Post. While some of the collected tributes were shared privately with Tung’s family, the webpage provides a dedicated space for the public to share their own memories and reflections.

Tung passed away on September 8 at the age of 89, remembered for a tenure marked by challenging policy decisions and crises, whose impact has evolved over time. He largely avoided public scrutiny in his later years, last seen at the premiere of a film marking the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China founding in July 2021.