Hong Kong’s political, business elite pay final respects to Tung Chee-hwa

Hong Kong’s political and business elite bade a solemn farewell to Tung Chee-hwa, the city’s first chief executive, at a vigil on Saturday, as Beijing leaders sent wreaths ahead of his state funeral and members of the public streamed into community centres to sign condolence books.

Hundreds of wreaths lined the pavement at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, spilling into a nearby playground, while inside the hall the mood was hushed as top officials, former politicians and business chiefs filed in to pay their respects at the invitation-only vigil.

The hall was decorated with white orchids and pine trees, with wreaths from Tung’s widow, Betty Tung Chiu Hung-ping, and their three children placed in front of the altar. She did not attend the vigil, the South China Morning Post learned.

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Vigil held for Hong Kong’s first chief executive Tung Chee-wah

One attendee said the ceremony followed the format of a typical local vigil. A master of ceremonies invited visitors to pay their respects and bow to Tung at the altar before they turned to his family to offer their condolences and receive their thanks.

“The mood is solemn and very quiet. Many visitors stay for about half an hour before leaving,” the attendee said, adding that some of Tung’s close friends were allowed into a room to view his body.