Public pay tribute to HK's first CE Tung Chee-hwa

The state funeral of Tung Chee-hwa, a former Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and the city's first Chief Executive, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 89, took place Sunday morning.

The public memorial service began at 9am at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point.

Chairman of the funeral organising committee, CPC Central Committee Political Bureau member and Head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee Shi Taifeng, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Leung Chun-ying, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Xia Baolong, arrived at the funeral home, and they were greeted by Chief Executive John Lee and Director of the Liaison Office Zhou Ji.

Various political and business figures also arrived early to pay their respects. They included former members of Tung's administration, including Arthur Li, Elsie Leung, Regina Ip, Henry Tang, as well as former Legislative Council President Rita Fan.

Current government officials including Financial Secretary Paul Chan, and Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk, also attended the ceremony.

A banner reads "Deepest Condolences to Mr.Tung Chee-hwa" was placed above Tung's portrait inside the mourning hall.

Following the public memorial, Leung Chun-ying and John Lee, among others, served as pallbearers. The coffin was draped with the national flag.

Tung's eldest son, Andy Tung, carried his father's portrait. Followed by Tung Chee-hwa's widow, Betty Tung and their youngest son, Alan Tung.

The hearse carrying the coffiin left the funeral home and headed to the Cape Collinson Crematorium in Chai Wan. At around 10:30am. the hearse arrived at the crematorium. Betty Tung and other relatives arrived to bid their final farewell.

Tung Chee-hwa served as Hong Kong's Chief Executive from 1997 to 2005 and passed away on September 8th due to illness at the age of 89.