Tung Chee-hwa: Hong Kong's first leader after British handover to China dies - BBC News

The tenure of Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first leader after Britain handed over the city to China, was marked by crises and protests.

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Tung Chee-hwa was the first chief executive of Hong Kong following the 1997 handover

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first leader after the city returned to Chinese rule, has died at the age of 89.

The former shipping scion took over the reins from the last British Governor Chris Patten in July 1997 when the UK handed Hong Kong back to China, ending more than 150 years of British control.

Tung's rocky tenure was marked by the Asian Financial Crisis, two major epidemics, and historic protests which attracted criticism of his administration. He eventually resigned in 2005.

Tung died on Tuesday night surrounded by loved ones, local media reported. His office described him as a man "devoted to his country and its people".