Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s First Leader Under Chinese Rule, Dies At 89

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s First Leader Under Chinese Rule, Dies At 89

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first leader under Chinese rule, has died aged 89 after a turbulent eight-year tenure.

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first leader after the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule, has died aged 89.

Tung, a former shipping executive, took charge of Hong Kong in July 1997, succeeding the last British governor, Chris Patten, as the UK handed the territory back to China after more than 150 years of British rule.

His eight-year tenure was marked by the Asian Financial Crisis, major public health emergencies and some of the largest protests in Hong Kong’s history.