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1937-01-01

Tung Chee-hwa born

Tung Chee-hwa was born in Shanghai in 1937.

1960-01-01

Tung graduated from Liverpool University

Tung Chee-hwa graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Liverpool University in the UK.

1969-01-01

Tung moved to Hong Kong

Tung Chee-hwa moved to Hong Kong in 1969 and worked in his father's shipping conglomerate, Orient Overseas.

1979-01-01

Tung took over Orient Overseas

Tung Chee-hwa took over the reins of Orient Overseas in 1979.

1992-01-01

Tung appointed to Patten's executive council

Tung Chee-hwa was appointed a member of Governor Chris Patten's executive council in 1992.

1996-01-01

Jiang Zemin shook Tung's hand

At a reception in January 1996, China's then-president Jiang Zemin walked across a room to shake Tung Chee-hwa's hand, signaling Beijing's backing.

1996-12-01

Tung selected as Chief Executive

Tung Chee-hwa was chosen in December 1996 by a 400-member selection committee to be Hong Kong's first post-handover Chief Executive, receiving 320 votes.

1997-07-01

Tung took office as Chief Executive

Tung Chee-hwa took office as Hong Kong's first Chief Executive on July 1, 1997, when the UK handed Hong Kong back to China.

1997-07-01

Asian financial crisis

The Asian financial crisis occurred during Tung's tenure, starting in 1997, causing economic turmoil in Hong Kong.

1999-01-01

Tung requested NPC interpretation

In 1999, Tung Chee-hwa requested and obtained an interpretation from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that overrode a Hong Kong court ruling on right of abode.

2001-01-01

Tung said freedom is alive

Freedom in Hong Kong is alive and well.

2002-01-01

Tung sought second term

In 2002, Tung Chee-hwa sought a second term and secured nominations from 714 of the 800-member Election Committee after Beijing's backing.

2002-01-01

Article 23 legislation proposed

Tung's government proposed legislation under Article 23 of Hong Kong's Basic Law, which drew broad opposition.

2002-02-01

Tung re-elected uncontested

In February 2002, Tung Chee-hwa was re-elected uncontested as Chief Executive.

2003-01-01

SARS outbreak

The SARS epidemic hit Hong Kong in 2003 during Tung's tenure, with criticism over the government's handling.

2003-07-01

HK Bar Association warned on Article 23

Some legal definitions in the Article 23 bill are imprecise and pose a threat to political expression and media freedom.

2003-07-01

July 1 protest

On July 1, 2003, about 500,000 people (organizers' estimate) protested in Hong Kong against the Article 23 legislation and the government.

2003-07-01

Article 23 bill postponed

Tung's government postponed the Article 23 bill after the July 1 protest.

2003-09-01

Article 23 bill withdrawn

Tung's government withdrew the Article 23 bill in September 2003.

2004-12-01

Hu Jintao criticized Hong Kong government

In December 2004, Chinese president Hu Jintao publicly criticized the Hong Kong government's performance, seen as a warning to Tung.

2005-03-01

Tung resigned

Tung Chee-hwa resigned as Chief Executive in March 2005, citing health problems.

2005-03-01

Tung became CPPCC vice chairman

After leaving office, Tung Chee-hwa served as a vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 2005 until 2023.

2020-01-01

National security law imposed

Beijing imposed a separate national security law on Hong Kong in 2020.

2024-03-01

Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passed

In March 2024, Hong Kong's legislature unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, fulfilling the Article 23 requirement.

2024-05-28

First arrests under new law

On May 28, 2024, Hong Kong national security police made the first arrests under the new law, detaining six people on suspicion of sedition.

2024-05-28

Amnesty says arrests targeted peaceful commemoration

The arrests under the new national security law targeted peaceful efforts to commemorate the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

2024-05-28

Chris Tang says posts provoked hatred

The social media posts were intended to provoke hatred against the Chinese central government, the Hong Kong government, and the judiciary.

2026-09-08

Tung died

Tung Chee-hwa died on September 8, 2026, at age 89.

2026-09-09

Tung died peacefully

Tung Chee-hwa passed away peacefully with family present.

2026-09-09

Tung was a loyalist

Tung Chee-hwa was a loyalist to Beijing, especially after China's state-run banks helped rescue his family business.

2026-09-10

HKMAO mourns Tung's death

We express deep sorrow over the death of Tung Chee-hwa, and we praise his role in Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty and his support for China's reform and modernization.

Inside the report

01 General knowledge

FIFA's Turbulent Era

FIFA, the global governing body of football, has a long history of political and financial controversies. The organization's modern era was shaped by the 2015 corruption scandal that forced longtime president Sepp Blatter out of office. In the aftermath, FIFA introduced reforms, including term limits for its president, to restore trust and accountability. These reforms were meant to prevent any single leader from accumulating unchecked power, a principle that now sits at the heart of the current dispute over Gianni Infantino's eligibility to run again.

Gianni Infantino first took office in 2016, elected during an extraordinary congress to complete the mandate left vacant by Blatter's suspension. He has since overseen a period of significant commercial growth for FIFA, including the expansion of the World Cup and record revenues. However, his leadership has also been marked by repeated clashes with European football bodies and accusations of opaque decision-making. The current crisis over his re-election bid is the latest chapter in this ongoing tension between FIFA's central authority and its regional confederations.

02 The subject

Gianni Infantino's Presidency

Gianni Infantino has been FIFA's president since 2016, making him the central figure in world football's governance. His role involves overseeing the organization's 211 member associations, managing the World Cup and other major tournaments, and directing FIFA's commercial and development strategies. Infantino's presidency has been defined by a push for financial expansion, including record broadcast deals and the creation of new competitions. This focus on commercial growth has made him both a popular figure among some confederations and a polarizing one among others.

03 Explained

FIFA's Term Limit Rules

FIFA's statutes limit a president to three terms, a rule introduced in 2016 as part of governance reforms. The interpretation of this rule is now the subject of a formal challenge against Infantino's re-election bid. The dispute centers on whether Infantino's first term, which began in 2016 to complete Sepp Blatter's interrupted mandate, should count toward this limit. In 2022, FIFA ruled that this initial period did not count as a full term, a decision that allowed Infantino to seek re-election again. Critics argue this interpretation violates the clear language of the statutes and undermines the purpose of term limits.

04 Previous developments

From World Cup Sell-Off to Re-Election Bid

In late July 2026, Infantino proposed a plan to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial rights entity for $4.2 billion, backed by Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital. The proposal, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise, was met with immediate and widespread backlash from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF, which accused FIFA of deception and threatened to boycott FIFA events. On July 31, 2026, Infantino scrapped the plan, but the damage to his leadership was done.

In early August 2026, FIFA's leadership convened a crisis meeting in Morocco, where it apologized for the handling of the proposal and reaffirmed its support for Infantino. UEFA, however, continued to push for his removal, issuing a document preservation letter and later preparing a criminal complaint in Swiss courts over potential financial mismanagement. By late August, the Dutch football federation had also withdrawn its support, and a global fan petition demanded his resignation. Despite this, Infantino confirmed his re-election bid in September 2026, setting the stage for a contested election at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.

05 The environment

A Divided Football World

As of September 2026, Infantino's re-election bid faces a deeply divided football community. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF have publicly accused him of deception and called for governance reforms, with UEFA's president Aleksander Ceferin ruling out a run against him but warning he must either resign or face a leadership challenge. The Nordic football associations, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, have also stated they have lost confidence in his leadership.

In contrast, Infantino retains significant support from other regions. The Confederation of African Football has unanimously backed him, and South America's CONMEBOL has rejected any attempt to remove him without a vote from all 211 FIFA members. Argentina and Mexico have also publicly supported him, despite Mexico's regional confederation CONCACAF being among his critics. This split reflects a broader geopolitical divide within world football, with Infantino's support strongest in Africa and parts of the Americas, while Europe and Asia lead the opposition.

06 Why this happened

Why the Re-Election Bid Is Controversial

Infantino's decision to run again comes despite the backlash because he still commands enough support from key confederations to believe he can win. His allies, particularly in Africa, have benefited from the FIFA Forward programme, a funding initiative he introduced in 2016 that has provided crucial financial assistance for football development. This has created a loyal base that values the tangible benefits of his leadership over the governance concerns raised by European and Asian bodies.

The controversy over his re-election is fueled by the perception that he has concentrated power and acted without transparency. The failed World Cup sell-off plan, which was negotiated in secret and presented as a take-it-or-leave-it offer, reinforced this view. Critics argue that his actions have undermined the trust that is essential for FIFA's legitimacy, while his supporters see the opposition as an attempt to curb the influence of a president who has delivered financial growth. The legal challenge over term limits adds another layer, with human rights group FairSquare arguing that his first term should count toward the three-term limit, a claim FIFA disputes.

07 Facts and events

Stakes and Comparisons

The outcome of the March 2027 election will have significant consequences for the future of football governance. If Infantino wins, it would signal that the opposition from Europe and Asia is not enough to unseat a president with support from other regions. If he loses, it would mark a historic shift, as he has never faced a contested election since taking office in 2016.

The controversy has also drawn in political figures, with former US President Donald Trump publicly backing Infantino and warning FIFA against replacing him. Trump's support, which includes a reported push for Infantino to become UN secretary-general, highlights the unusual intersection of sports and politics in this saga. The legal challenges and criminal complaints against Infantino, if pursued, could further complicate his presidency regardless of the election result.

08 Questions answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FIFA Forward programme?

The FIFA Forward programme is a funding initiative introduced by Infantino in 2016 that provides financial assistance to member associations for football development projects.

Why did UEFA prepare a criminal complaint against Infantino?

UEFA prepared a criminal complaint over potential financial mismanagement related to the failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.

What is the significance of the 2022 ruling on Infantino's term limits?

The 2022 ruling exempted Infantino's first term from counting toward the three-term limit, a decision that is now being challenged by human rights group FairSquare.

Important

Politics

Business

Military Conflicts

Sport

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

Tung Chee-hwa born

Tung graduated from Liverpool University

Tung moved to Hong Kong

Tung took over Orient Overseas

Tung appointed to Patten's executive council

Jiang Zemin shook Tung's hand

Tung selected as Chief Executive

Tung took office as Chief Executive

Asian financial crisis

Tung requested NPC interpretation

Tung said freedom is alive

Tung sought second term

Article 23 legislation proposed

Tung re-elected uncontested

SARS outbreak

HK Bar Association warned on Article 23

July 1 protest

Article 23 bill postponed

Article 23 bill withdrawn

Hu Jintao criticized Hong Kong government

Tung resigned

Tung became CPPCC vice chairman

National security law imposed

Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passed

First arrests under new law

Amnesty says arrests targeted peaceful commemoration

Chris Tang says posts provoked hatred

Tung died

Tung died peacefully

Tung was a loyalist

HKMAO mourns Tung's death

Gianni Infantino confirms re-election bid for FIFA presidency in 2027

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