Ronny Tong recalls Tung’s rare openness to dissent
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Executive Council member Ronny Tong Ka-wah (湯家驊) on Saturday published a tribute titled “modest and open-minded” in memory of Tung Chee-hwa (董建華), Hong Kong’s first chief executive and a former vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, who died on September 8 at the age of 89. Tong recalled that after resigning his Legislative Council seat and preparing to focus on his barrister’s career, he unexpectedly received a call from Tung’s secretary inviting him to Tung’s office for a discussion on Hong Kong’s current situation. According to Tong, Tung said there was no special agenda and that he wanted to hear views that could benefit both the country and Hong Kong, regardless of who offered them or when. Tong said that among politicians, the real dividing line is whether they are willing to listen to different opinions, and he described Tung as the only person he had met with such ocean-like breadth of mind
Key Points
- Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first chief executive and a former national CPPCC vice-chairman, died on September 8 aged 89
- A state-level public memorial and funeral was held last Sunday, September 20, at Fuk Hoi Hall in the Hong Kong Funeral Home, North Point
- Tong said the encounter happened after he had resigned from the Legislative Council and was preparing to concentrate on his barrister’s practice
- Tung told Tong there was no specific topic, only a wish to discuss Hong Kong’s current situation and hear views useful to the country and city
- Tong said that after more than 50 years as a barrister and over 20 years in politics, he had met no one else as broad-minded as Tung
Why It Matters
Tong’s account adds a personal dimension to public remembrance of Tung by focusing not on office or ceremony, but on how he handled disagreement and political advice. For Hong Kong readers, the tribute also reopens discussion about what qualities matter most in public leadership, especially the willingness to hear opposing views