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
Vietnamese Lune Production's contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" to showcase millennia-old highland culture
Presented by the fourth Asia+ Festival, the contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will make its Hong Kong debut on November 14 and 15, following a successful European tour. Blending aerial acrobatics with traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, the programme vividly brings Vietnam’s highland culture to the stage. It will be performed by Lune Production, widely hailed as the Vietnamese Cirque du Soleil, marking the troupe's return to Hong Kong after previous critically acclaimed performances.
In the language of the K'Ho region in Vietnam's Central Highlands, "Teh Dar" means "going in circles", evoking the eternal cycle of life. The production's red stage recalls the region's distinctive red soil landscape, as acrobatic performers execute aerial feats. A live ensemble will play traditional instruments including gongs, buffalo horns, T'rung bamboo xylophones and long drums, bringing to life the millennia-old Gong Culture of the Central Highlands, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
The New York Times has acclaimed "Teh Dar" as "a hypnotic, daring spectacle that fuses Central Highlands lore with world-class circus and contemporary dance".
"Teh Dar" is also one of the programmes of the sixth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival. It will be held at 7.30pm on November 14 and 3pm on November 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall Auditorium. Tickets priced at $200, $260, $320 and $400 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Please call 3166 1288 for telephone bookings or use the mobile ticketing app URBTIX.
An acrobatic workshop will be held on November 15. Please refer to www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2026/en/teh-dar.
Presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Asia+ Festival is held annually from September to November. Themed "Traditions Recast", this year's festival brings together over 30 countries and regions, and presents more than 100 performances and related activities, showcasing the artistic essence of Asia and countries and regions along the Belt and Road. For programme enquiries and ticketing concessions, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk.
The contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. Acrobatic performers will execute aerial feats and a live ensemble will play traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, bringing to life the millennia-old Gong Culture of the Central Highlands. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. Acrobatic performers will execute aerial feats and a live ensemble will play traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, bringing to life the millennia-old Gong Culture of the Central Highlands. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. The production’s red stage recalls the region’s distinctive red soil landscape as acrobatic performers execute aerial feats. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. The production’s red stage recalls the region’s distinctive red soil landscape as acrobatic performers execute aerial feats. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will make its Hong Kong debut on November 14 and 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall, following a successful European tour. Blending aerial acrobatics with traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, the programme vividly brings Vietnam's highland culture to the stage. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will make its Hong Kong debut on November 14 and 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall, following a successful European tour. Blending aerial acrobatics with traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, the programme vividly brings Vietnam's highland culture to the stage. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will make its Hong Kong debut on November 14 and 15 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall, following a successful European tour. Blending aerial acrobatics with traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, the programme vividly brings Vietnam's highland culture to the stage. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Presented by the fourth Asia+ Festival, the contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will be held on November 14 and 15. The programme will be performed by Lune Production, widely hailed as the Vietnamese Cirque du Soleil, marking the troupe's return to Hong Kong after previous critically acclaimed performances. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Presented by the fourth Asia+ Festival, the contemporary acrobatic work "Teh Dar" will be held on November 14 and 15. The programme will be performed by Lune Production, widely hailed as the Vietnamese Cirque du Soleil, marking the troupe's return to Hong Kong after previous critically acclaimed performances. (Source of photo: Lune Production) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
