Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first post-colonial leader, dies at age 89

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first post-colonial leader, died at age 89, passing away peacefully with family present on Tuesday

He was picked by a panel of pro-Beijing elites to lead Hong Kong after British colonial rule ended in 1997

He was a shipping tycoon whose family's company was rescued by China's state-run banks during a 1980s slump

His term saw bird flu, the Asian financial crisis, and in 2003 the SARS outbreak, which killed nearly 300 people in Hong Kong

1997: Tung Chee-hwa becomes Hong Kong's first post-colonial leader after British rule ends · Shortly after 1997: Hong Kong hit by bird flu and an Asian financial crisis · 2002: Tung reelected unopposed by the pro-Beijing electoral committee · 2003: SARS outbreak hits Hong Kong; Tung proposes Article 23 anti-subversion law, prompting mass protests · 2004: Hong Kongers hold mass protest demanding direct elections · March 10, 2005: Tung announces he is resigning, citing failing health

89 age at death · 1997 year of handover · half million protesters · nearly 300 SARS deaths · 42 medal recipients

Many were suspicious of Tung's stated reason for resigning (failing health), noting no health problems were apparent beforehand