Tung's Legacy: A Cautionary Tale for Hong Kong's Autonomy The passing of Tung Chee hwa at 89 marks the end of an era in Hong Kong's tumultuous post colonial history.
His tenure as the first leader after the handover to China was marked by controversy, public health crises, and historic protests that defined his administration.
Tung's rise to power was facilitated by Beijing's backing. In 1996, then President Jiang Zemin publicly endorsed Tung for the top job in Hong Kong, signaling China's choice for its candidate.