Event Details:

The Stanford GSB Chapter of Hong Kong is pleased to invite you to a private luncheon event with Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, and currently a Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Mr. Tung, Hong Kong’s statesman, was born to be a businessman, not a politician, at least that was what he thought.  Born in Shanghai in 1937, then moved to Hong Kong, the plan was for him to take over and run his family’s business, Orient Overseas Container Line (“OOCL”), one of the largest shipping companies in the world, after studying and working in the UK and US in his youth.

Mr. Tung, however, with his business and otherwise contacts, was trusted by both the British and Hong Kong governments, especially in critical times: Mr. Tung was invited to join the Executive Council in Hong Kong in 1992 and later on, became a member of the Beijing-appointed Preparatory Committee for the handover.  A politician thus emerged: Mr. Tung was elected and became the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 1997 after the handover.

During his tenure as Chief Executive, Mr. Tung and his government faced overwhelming and unique challenges including the Asian Financial Crisis and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”) epidemic.  He stepped down from the Chief Executive role in 2005 but has continued to stay active in the political scene, promoting for the benefits of the Hong Kong people.

Since 2005, not only was Mr. Tung appointed as a Vice-Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, China’s top advisory body, he also founded the China-United States Exchange Foundation and Our Hong Kong Foundation.  With his continued and active involvement in politics, he was sought after as advisor to many world leaders and is thus known as Hong Kong’s own distinguished statesman.  Mr. Tung’s insights about Hong Kong, it’s place in China’s, and in the world, are matched by few.

Your Chapter is delighted that Mr. Tung will be able to share his thoughts on Hong Kong’s challenges and opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you to this exclusive off-the-record event.

Speaker’s Bio: The Honourable Tung Chee-hwa, GBM

Mr. Tung Chee Hwa is the Vice Chairman of the Twelfth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, People’s Republic of China.  He is the Founding Chairman of the China-United States Exchange Foundation and Our Hong Kong Foundation.  Prior to these appointments, Mr. Tung served as First Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China from July 1997 to March 2005.

Born in 1937 in Shanghai, Mr. Tung spent his childhood in Hong Kong.  He had his education in the United Kingdom, graduating at University of Liverpool with BSc in 1960.  After that he lived and worked nine years in the United States with General Electric and in the family business respectively.  In 1969, Mr. Tung returned Hong Kong to help run the family business Orient Overseas Container Line. He had a successful and distinguished career in business while at the same time served in various public sector and advisory positions in Hong Kong. In 1997, he took on the position as the first Chief Executive of HKSAR.

Mr. Tung is married to Betty Chiu Hung Ping. They have three children and nine grandchildren.