The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, was born in Shanghai on
May 29, 1937, the first child of shipping businessman Tung Chao
Yung and Koo Lee Ching. Mr Tung has a brother and three sisters.
In 1947 the Tung family moved to Hong Kong. After completing secondary
school in Hong Kong, Mr Tung studied in the United Kingdom and
graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1960 with a Bachelor
of Science degree in marine engineering.
Mr Tung then worked for General Electric and the family business
in the United States before returning to Hong Kong in 1969 to
join the family group business.
The Group was one of the world's largest container, dry bulk and
tanker operators at the time. When the shipping industry subsequently
slumped during the 1980s global recession, the Group survived
through financial restructuring. The business was revitalised
and has been established firmly at the forefront of the industry.
On December 11, 1996 Mr Tung won by a wide margin in the first
election to the post of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China
(PRC). He was formally appointed by the Central People's Government
on December 16, 1996 and assumed office as the first Chief Executive
of the HKSAR on July 1, 1997 for a five-year term.
Mr Tung was elected uncontested for a second term on February 28, 2002, and was formally appointed by the Central People's Government on March 4, 2002. His second term began on July 1, 2002.
Prior to his election, Mr Tung was vice-chairman of the then Preparatory
Committee of the HKSAR and a Hong Kong Affairs Adviser to the
PRC. He was a member of the Eighth National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference.
His previous public and advisory duties included :
* Member, Executive Council of Hong Kong (1992 - 1996)
* Member, Basic Law Consultative Committee (1985 - 1990)
* Honorary Consul of Monaco in Hong Kong (1982 - 1996)
* Chairman, Hong Kong/United States Economic Co-operation Committee
(1993 - 1996)
* Member, Hong Kong/Japan Business Co-operation Committee (1991
- 1996)
* International Councillor, Centre for Strategic and International
Studies - a Washington-based research and policy institute (1983
- 1997)
* Member, Advisory Council of the Institute for International
Studies of Stanford University (1995 - 1997)
* Member, International Advisory Board of the Council on Foreign
Relations in New York (1995-1997)
* Member, Board of Overseers of the Hoover Institution on War,
Revolution and Peace - a research and policy institute based in
Stanford University (1982-1996)
* Chairman, Council of the City University of Hong Kong (1995-1996)
* Chairman, Hong Kong Shipowners Association (1976-1977)
* Chairman, Hong Kong Management Association (1979-1983)
Mr Tung is married to Betty Chiu Hung Ping. They have three children
and nine grandchildren.
Mr Tung enjoys reading and sports. His special interests include
biographies, history, economics and international affairs. Mr
Tung enjoys hiking, Tai Chi and swimming. His years in the United
Kingdom and the United States enriched his knowledge and interest
for soccer, basketball and American football.
Last Updated: March, 2005
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