In Pictures: Hong Kong pays final respects to former city leader Tung Chee-hwa
Hong Kong officials and the public commemorated the city’s first post-colonial leader, Tung Chee-hwa, at his funeral on Sunday, AFP journalists saw. Tung, who died this month at the age of 89, was a former shipping tycoon hand-picked by Beijing to run Hong Kong after the former British colony’s handover to Chinese rule in 1997. […]
Hong Kong officials and the public gathered on Sunday, September 20, 2026, to pay their final respects to the city's first post-colonial leader, Tung Chee-hwa. A public memorial and funeral ceremony marked the passing of the former shipping magnate, who was chosen by Beijing to lead Hong Kong following its return to Chinese rule in 1997.
Tung, who passed away at the age of 89, oversaw an eight-year tenure as chief executive, which came to an end in 2005 following widespread protests. Officials, family members, and prominent business figures attended the memorial service to pay tribute to the man responsible for leading Hong Kong during a critical period in its history.
Tung's casket, draped with the Chinese national flag, was transported from the Hong Kong Funeral Home to a crematorium. A portrait of the former leader, smiling and wearing his trademark crew cut, was displayed in the memorial hall alongside white orchids, representing love and respect.
Chief Executive John Lee and other political figures, including a Politburo member and No.1 vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Shi Taifeng, attended the ceremony. A sea of wreaths from government officials and business leaders lined the street leading to the memorial hall, underscoring the widespread tribute to Tung Chee-hwa.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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