Hong Kong pays final respects to former city leader Tung

Hong Kong officials and the public paid final respects to the city's first post-colonial leader, Tung Chee-hwa, at his funeral on Sunday, according to AFP journalists. Tung, who died at the age of 89, was a former shipping magnate chosen by Beijing to govern Hong Kong after its return to Chinese control in 1997.

A staunch conservative, Tung led the city for eight years until his resignation in 2005 following massive protests. His casket, draped in the Chinese flag, was transported from the Hong Kong Funeral Home to a crematorium the following day. A portrait of Tung, beaming with his trademark crew cut, was displayed in the memorial hall alongside white orchids, a symbol of love and respect. Dozens of wreaths from government officials and business leaders lined the street outside the memorial.

Tung's alma mater, Britain's University of Liverpool, expressed gratitude and respect, stating, "We remember him with great gratitude and respect." The funeral committee described Tung as a "renowned patriot" and "close friend of the Communist Party." An 89-year-old retired worker, Cheung Kwok-lik, traveled an hour by bus to pay his condolences.

During his tenure, Tung navigated the Asian financial crisis and the SARS epidemic, which were far from easy, according to Cheung. His leadership also overlapped with high unemployment rates and the 1997 avian flu outbreak. Resident Kiki Ho expressed sorrow and emotion after laying Tung's tribute, acknowledging that given the era and circumstances, the situation was not in his favor.

She described him as a gentleman, a man of experience who genuinely sought to benefit Hong Kong, though the political arena may have been too complex for him.

The US and British consulates had previously praised Tung for his historic role as a bridge connecting Beijing, Hong Kong, and Washington. Former US Ambassador to China Max Baucus called Tung a close friend, emphasizing that in his later years, he dedicated himself to the belief that China, Hong Kong, and the US needed to maintain mutual peace through people-to-people diplomacy. Tung is survived by his wife Betty Chiu, their two sons, and their daughter.