Beijing Honors Hong Kong's First Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa

A high-level public memorial service was held in Hong Kong for Tung Chee-hwa, the city's first post-handover chief executive and former national political advisory leader, who passed away on September 8, 2026, at age 89. Senior Chinese officials, including Politburo member Shi Taifeng and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong, traveled to Hong Kong to attend the ceremony, which was attended by current Chief Executive John Lee and former leader Leung Chun-ying. Top Communist Party leadership, including President Xi Jinping, conveyed official condolences.

Tung Chee-hwa was the founding chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a central figure in implementing the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework following the 1997 handover. The exceptionally high protocol accorded to his funeral underscores Beijing's validation of foundational patriotic figures and marks the symbolic end of an era for the first generation of post-colonial establishment leadership in Hong Kong.

A solemn public memorial service was held on September 20 at the Hong Kong Funeral Home to honor Tung Chee-hwa, the inaugural chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, state media outlets reported. Tung passed away due to illness in Hong Kong on the evening of September 8, 2026, at the age of 89. During his final illness, central authorities closely monitored his condition, with President Xi Jinping and other leaders directing the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong to relay sympathies and ensure comprehensive medical care. Following his death, China's top leadership—including Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Vice President Han Zheng, and former President Hu Jintao—expressed deep condolences through various forms and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to his family, according to official reports. Commissioned by Beijing, a senior delegation attended the ceremony. The delegation was led by Shi Taifeng, member of the CPC Central Committee Politburo and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who also served as chairman of Tung's funeral committee. CPPCC Vice Chairman and former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, CPPCC Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Wang Dongfeng, Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, and current Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu were present. The memorial hall was decorated with a banner reading 'Deeply Mourning Mr. Tung Chee-hwa' above his portrait, and his casket was draped with the national flag of the People's Republic of China. The ceremony began at 9:00 a.m. with silent tribute and was presided over by Leung Chun-ying. Delivering the official eulogy, Shi Taifeng characterized Tung as an outstanding contributor to the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework, a renowned patriot, a prominent social activist, and a close friend of the Communist Party of China. Shi reviewed Tung's life and his foundational contributions to the nation, Hong Kong, and society during his two terms as chief executive and four terms as vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee. Attendees, including heads of central government agencies based in Hong Kong, principal SAR officials, local deputies to the National People's Congress, CPPCC members, and community representatives, bowed three times before the casket to pay their final respects. Condolence messages were also sent by central departments, provincial governments, and public organizations across mainland China and Hong Kong.