The Hong Kong Jockey Club has cancelled its race meeting scheduled for this Sunday 20 September at Sha Tin Racecourse in respect of the state funeral that will be held that day following the passing of Hong Kong’s first Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa.
In a statement, the HKJC explained that the cancellation was in observance of the arrangements for the state funeral and to show respect for the ceremony, with all off-course betting branches to also be closed for the entire day.
Tung, who passed away last week aged 89, was selected as Hong Kong’s first Chief Executive in 1997 following the territory’s handover from British to Chinese sovereignty. He was subsequently elected to a second term in 2002 but stepped down mid-term in 2005, citing health concerns. He later served as Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and remained an influential figure in China’s Hong Kong policy.
Notably, his term coincided with that of Macau’s first Chief Executive, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, who served from 1999 – when Portugal handed sovereignty back to China – and 2009, overseeing the liberalization of Macau’s casino industry during his tenure. Both Tung and Ho became CPPCC afterwards.
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