Friend, leader, mentor: how political veterans remember Tung Chee-hwa

This weekend, Hong Kong mourns the loss of former chief executive and elder statesman Tung Chee-hwa.The shipping tycoon who became the city’s first leader after its transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997 died on September 8 at the age of 89, leaving a legacy of determined stewardship and dedicated public service.He is remembered for steering Hong Kong through uncharted waters following the end of colonial rule, as well as his tireless efforts as a state leader and business heavyweight to help repair, maintain and improve Sino-US relations.The cover of the China-morning-post" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="12558" data-entity-type="organization">South China Morning Post’s special print supplement. Photo: SCMPTributes have been pouring in locally and from overseas to reflect the high regard in which he was held, many remembering him as a wise, kind and exceptionally hard-working leader with a deep love for Hong Kong and the country.He was a pioneering steward of the unprecedented “one country, two systems” experiment, the governing formula for Hong Kong that he oversaw in its initial application and supported in its continuing success.