Hong Kong's First Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa Passes Away, Leaving Lasting Legacy and Profound Contributions

Profound sorrow over passing of former Vice-Chairman of CPPCC National Committee and first Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mr Tung Chee Hwa

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 9) expressed profound sorrow over the passing of the former Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Tung Chee Hwa.

Mr Tung Chee Hwa, Photo source: Xinhua News

Mr Tung became the first Chief Executive of the HKSAR in 1997, serving in the position until March 2005. He served as Vice-Chairman of the 10th to 13th National Committee of the CPPCC from 2005 to 2023. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2006.

"Mr Tung was the first Chief Executive of the HKSAR. His distinguished leadership rendered exemplary contributions to the smooth process of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, as well as the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle and the Basic Law. During his tenure of over seven years, Mr Tung successfully steered Hong Kong through the turmoil of the Asian financial crisis and led the people of Hong Kong in overcoming a wide range of challenges through concerted efforts, thereby facilitating a robust economic recovery and maintaining social prosperity and stability. With visionary foresight, he instituted mechanisms to promote economic and trade ties and co-ordinated development between Hong Kong and the Mainland, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong's enduring competitiveness. His contributions to Hong Kong were exceptionally significant.

Mr Tung Chee Hwa, Photo source: reference image

"Upon the conclusion of his tenure as Chief Executive in 2005, Mr Tung assumed the office of Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, where he continued to offer his counsel at the national level and further contributed to the prosperity, stability and sustained development of Hong Kong. He was also instrumental in uniting the city to foster in depth exchanges between Hong Kong and the international community, elevating Hong Kong's role and influence on the global stage. Mr Tung dedicated his life to serving the country and Hong Kong. I am profoundly grieved by his passing, and his life-long and monumental contributions to Hong Kong will forever be etched on our memory. On behalf of the HKSAR, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family," said Mr Lee.

Mr John Lee, Photo source: reference image

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement actions against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland

Hong Kong Customs mounted special enforcement operations in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok on September 3 and yesterday (September 8) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods, and seized about 3 100 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

Customs earlier conducted patrols at popular visitors' spots and discovered some traders selling suspected counterfeit goods in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement actions during the abovementioned dates and raided nine fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei and eight fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, clothes, and toys, was seized.

During the operations, Customs arrested one man and six women, aged between 34 and 65. An investigation is ongoing.

With the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities in order to safeguard local consumers' and visitors' rights at full strength.

Customs appeals to local consumers and visitors to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Customs also reminds traders not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement actions against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases