World News
Hong Kong holds state funeral for former leader Tung Chee-hwa
Chinese officials and local dignitaries attended the rare service for the city's first post-colonial leader.
The short version
- A state funeral was held in Hong Kong on Sunday for Tung Chee-hwa, the city's first chief executive following the 1997 handover, who died on September 8 at age 89.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- The event was attended by senior Chinese Communist Party officials and current Hong Kong leaders, marking only the third state funeral in the city since 1997.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- Tung led Hong Kong through the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2003 SARS outbreak before resigning in 2005 midway through his second term.[Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- Tung Chee-hwa died on September 8 at the age of 89.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- The funeral was only the third state funeral granted in Hong Kong since the 1997 handover from Britain.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- The funeral committee was composed of 87 members and chaired by senior Chinese official Shi Taifeng.[Al Jazeera]
- Current Chief Executive John Lee and former leader Leung Chun-ying served as pallbearers for the coffin, which was draped in China's national flag.[Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.