Zhong Shiyuan, the first convener of the Executive Council known as the godfather of Hong Kong politics, died yesterday at the age of 101.
Zhong Shiyuan passed away at a French hospital at 2 am yesterday, with his family by his side.His last public appearance was on the 3rd of this month when Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam hosted a banquet for him at the Government House to celebrate his 101st birthday.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor praised Zhong Shiyuan's heart for Hong Kong and selfless dedication through a press release yesterday, and expressed deep condolences to his family on behalf of the SAR government.She pointed out that during the negotiations on the future of Hong Kong between China and Britain in the 1980s, Zhong Shiyuan visited Beijing and London many times to put forward opinions on behalf of Hong Kong people;Contribute to the smooth transition of Hong Kong.
Carrie Lam recalled that she and Zhong Shiyuan worked together in the Sino-British Liaison Group transitional budget compilation expert group before the return of Hong Kong. Zhong Shiyuan's objective and fair analysis, political tolerance and caring guidance for younger generations benefited her a lot.
People from different camps in Hong Kong's political circles regret the passing of Zhong Shiyuan.Member of the Executive Council, Yap Lau Sook-yee, pointed out that Zhong Shiyuan is humble and polite, and he will also support the younger generation: before the reunification, he was the chief non-official member of the two bureaus, and after the reunification, he was also the chief member and convener of the guild.I have known him for many years. He has made great contributions to industry, Sino-British negotiations, the drafting of the Basic Law, and the establishment of political parties later.
Martin Lee, the founding chairman of the Democratic Party, praised Zhong Shiyuan for taking the initiative to go to Beijing to discuss the Hong Kong issue with Deng Xiaoping during the Sino-British negotiation years. His contribution to Hong Kong's return and the political arena is unquestionable, and he is fair and has no enemies in the political arena.
Zhong Shiyuan was born in Hong Kong in 1917. After being appointed as a non-official member of the Hong Kong and British Legislative Council in 1965, he began his political career.When he visited Beijing in 1984, he was received by the leader of the Communist Party of China, Deng Xiaoping, but the meeting reportedly broke up. The two sides disputed over the confidence of Hong Kong people. Zhong Shiyuan was described as a lonely official.However, on July 1, 1997, he was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the highest honor in the Hong Kong honorary system, by the Hong Kong government.
In the past three months in Hong Kong, many celebrities have passed away, including 2009 Nobel Prize winner Kao Kwan, former chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties, Kwok Ping-hsiang, Hong Kong martial arts novelist Cha Leung-yung, Hong Kong film godfather Chow Man-huai and actress Nam Kit-ying.
