Public memorial held for former HKSAR chief executive Tung Chee-hwa

HONG KONG -- A public memorial was held in Hong Kong on Sunday for Tung Chee-hwa, former vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Tung died of illness at the age of 89 in Hong Kong on Sept 8. He is regarded as an outstanding contributor to "one country, two systems", a renowned patriot, an outstanding social activist and a close friend of the Communist Party of China.

Tung served as vice-chairman of the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th National Committees of the CPPCC. He was the first- and second-term chief executive of the HKSAR.

While Tung was critically ill, the central authorities expressed deep concern over his condition. President Xi Jinping and other central leaders instructed the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR to convey best wishes and demanded all-out efforts to treat Tung.

Following Tung's passing, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng, Hu Jintao and others expressed their deep grief in various forms and extended sincere condolences to his family.

Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Wang Dongfeng, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee, Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, attended Sunday's memorial service.

The memorial service started at 9 am, with all those present observing a moment of silence. Leung, vice-chairman of Tung's funeral committee, presided over the event.

Shi, chairman of Tung's funeral committee, delivered a speech at the event, reviewing Tung's life and highlighting his important contributions to the country, to Hong Kong, and to the society.

Following the speech, all participants bowed three times to Tung's portrait, came up in turn before his remains to pay their final respects, and expressed condolences to his family members.

Leaders from the central government institutions in Hong Kong, senior officials from the HKSAR government, HKSAR deputies to the National People's Congress, HKSAR members of the CPPCC National Committee, and representatives from various sectors of Hong Kong also attended the memorial to pay their respects.