Hong Kong’s political, business elite pay final respects to Tung Chee-hwa
Hong Kong’s political and business elite bade a solemn farewell to Tung Chee-hwa, the city’s first chief executive, at a vigil on Saturday, as Beijing leaders sent wreaths ahead of his state funeral and members of the public streamed into community centres to sign condolence books. Hundreds of wreaths lined the pavement at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, spilling into a nearby…
On Saturday, Hong Kong's political and business elite gathered at a solemn vigil to pay their respects to Tung Chee-hwa, the city's first chief executive. The event, held at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, saw hundreds of wreaths lining the pavement and spilling into a nearby playground. Inside the hall, top officials, former politicians and business chiefs observed a somber atmosphere as they filed in to pay their respects to Tung at the invitation-only ceremony.
Wreaths from Tung's widow, Betty Tung Chiu Hung-ping, and their three children were placed in front of the altar. Tung, who passed away on September 8 at the age of 89, led Hong Kong during a critical period following its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. His tenure was marked by the Asian financial crisis in 1998, the Sars epidemic in 2003, efforts to enact domestic national security legislation, a post-Sars economic rebound and more.
Beijing leaders sent wreaths ahead of Tung's state funeral, and members of the public streamed into community centers to sign condolence books. The ceremony followed the typical format of a local vigil, with a master of ceremonies inviting visitors to pay their respects and bow to Tung at the altar before offering condolences to his family.
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