Tung Chee-hwa’s task as Hong Kong’s chief executive was without precedent
The farewell to former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa was moving because it marked the passing of a figure who stood at the beginning of a wholly new chapter for Hong Kong, a city to which he devoted so much of himself. For many, Tung will always be associated with the formidable demands of the early years after the return to the motherland – the Asian financial crisis, the bursting of the…
Tung Chee-hwa's farewell was poignant, symbolizing the commencement of an unprecedented era for Hong Kong. Throughout his tenure, he grappled with the challenges of a nascent Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, navigating the Asian financial crisis, property market collapse, SARS outbreak, and deepening social divides. The official eulogy, penned by Shi Taifeng, emphasized Tung's contributions as an "outstanding contributor to 'one country, two systems'" and recognized his role as a patriot, social activist and close friend to the Communist Party.
Tung's tenure marked the first instance of a leader having to simultaneously uphold Hong Kong's unique system and respond to the evolving needs of a rapidly changing China and regional community, all while managing the Asian financial crisis, property market turbulence, and public unease. Though his tenure was fraught with criticism, Tung's legacy extends beyond his time in office; he founded the China-United States Exchange Foundation and Our Hong Kong Foundation, advocating for thoughtful public policy.
The tribute to Tung is not merely ceremonial but acknowledges the monumental task he undertook in steering Hong Kong through its formative years.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
