The Life of Mr. Tung Chee-hwa

Xinhua Hong Kong, September 20 — Mr. Tung Cheehwa, a renowned patriot and the first and second Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, passed away in Hong Kong on September 8, 2026, at the age of 89. Born in Shanghai in 1937, Tung Cheehwa was originally from Zhoushan, Zhejiang. He moved to Hong Kong with his family in 1947, later studied in the United Kingdom, and worked in the United States. After returning to Hong Kong in 1969, he devoted himself to the family shipping business and served as Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, Chairman and Chief Executive of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, and in other positions. Thereafter, he took part in a number of preparatory efforts before and after Hong Kong's return to China, and in July 1997 became the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, and was reelected as the second Chief Executive in 2002. The article recalled that Tung Cheehwa long supported the country's reform and opening up and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, actively participated in the work of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and promoted the practice of "one country, two systems" and safeguarded Hong Kong's stable development during the transition period and after the establishment of the SAR. After leaving office, he continued to promote exchanges and cooperation through platforms such as the ChinaUnited States Exchange Foundation and the Our Hong Kong Foundation, and also continued to speak out for Hong Kong's social development and the growth of young people.