Hong Kong's First Post-Colonial Leader Tung Chee-hwa Passed Away

Key facts

• Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first post-colonial leader, died at age 89, September 8, passing away peacefully in the presence of his family members.
• A shipping tycoon with little political experience, Tung was picked in 1997 by a panel of pro-Beijing elites to be the first leader of Hong Kong after the end of British colonial rule.
• Tung was reelected unopposed by the pro-Beijing electoral committee in 2002 and confirmed his resignation on March 10, 2005, citing failing health.
• In September 2019, Tung was among 42 people who received national medals and honors from Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing for his contributions to the country.