A Funeral Fit for a Patriot: Hong Kong Mourns its First Post-Colonial Leader

The state funeral of Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first leader after the handover from Britain in 1997, has drawn attention to the complex legacy of this pivotal figure. Only a handful of individuals have received similar honors since British rule ended.

Top Chinese officials, including Beijing’s top man for Hong Kong and Macau affairs, attended the funeral. Their presence underscores the level of official backing from the mainland for this funeral. Current Chief Executive John Lee and former leaders like Leung Chun-ying and Carrie Lam also paid their respects, highlighting the intricate web of relationships between Hong Kong’s leadership and their counterparts in Beijing.

Tung Chee-hwa’s rise to power was facilitated by Beijing, which selected him in 1996 for the role. This marked a significant turning point in Hong Kong’s governance, shifting from British colonial rule to Chinese post-colonial administration. His tenure was characterized by struggles with governance and public discontent that never fully recovered after the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

The description of Tung as a “renowned patriot” by Chinese state media is telling, given the fraught relationship between Hong Kong’s citizens and their leaders since the handover. This assessment seems at odds with the criticism levied against him by many who felt he struggled to address the city’s governance issues.

A pattern emerges when comparing Tung’s funeral to others in Hong Kong – industrialist Ann Tse-kai and tycoon Henry Fok, both serving as vice chairs of the CPPCC. These individuals have maintained strong ties with Beijing, raising questions about what exactly defines a “patriot” in this context and whether such honors are bestowed more for their loyalty to the mainland than their contributions to Hong Kong.

As Tung’s funeral serves as a poignant reminder of the complex relationships between Hong Kong, China, and its former colonial power, it also underscores the ongoing quest for identity and governance in the city. The funeral committee’s composition, led by Shi Taifeng, a senior Chinese Communist Party Politburo member, speaks volumes about the level of mainland involvement in Hong Kong’s affairs.

The legacy of Tung Chee-hwa will likely be a subject of debate in the coming days. While some hail him as a pioneering figure who navigated the complexities of post-handover Hong Kong, others see his tenure as marked by struggles with governance and public discontent that continue to this day.

Tung’s decision to shelve national security legislation in 2003 following mass protests is also worth remembering. The echoes of those demonstrations can still be felt today, with many Hongkongers continuing to push for greater autonomy from Beijing. This ongoing quest for democracy and governance will undoubtedly shape the city’s future, with or without the guidance of leaders like Tung Chee-hwa.