Hong Kong's first post-colonial leader Tung Chee-hwa dies at age 89

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first leader after the handover from Britain to China in 1997, has passed away at the age of 89.

Tung, a businessman and shipping magnate, was selected for the post by a Beijing-backed committee despite being considered politically inexperienced.

During his tenure, Hong Kong faced challenges such as a financial crisis, the SARS outbreak, and widespread protests against proposed legislation, leading to Tung's resignation in 2005.

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first leader after the former British colony was handed back to China, has died aged 89, his office said on Wednesday.

Tung died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, his office said. Hong Kong's acting chief executive John Lee said Tung's contributions to the city had been "exceptionally significant."

Tung became Hong Kong's first chief executive after Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997. Under the "one country, two systems" framework, Beijing promised Hong Kong certain freedoms.

"I firmly believe, as a Special Administrative Region of China, the future of Hong Kong will be more glorious and more successful," Tung said in his inaugural speech on July 1, 1997.

Born in Shanghai, Tung was a businessman and shipping magnate who was selected for the post by a Beijing-backed committee. He was considered politically inexperienced.

At the start of his tenure, a severe financial and currency crisis that originated in Thailand spread across Asia, hitting Hong Kong among other things through the bursting of a property bubble.

Despite criticism of the government's response, Tung was re-elected in 2002 for a second five-year term.

In 2003, the infectious disease SARS hit the financial hub, killing more than 280 people. That summer, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against a planned anti-subversion law, which critics said could threaten Hong Kong's freedoms.

The government later withdrew the proposed legislation.

Calls for greater political participation and direct elections for Hong Kong's government grew among parts of the population. Tung followed Beijing's line and rejected the demands.

He stepped down early in 2005, citing his health.