Re-emergent Tung ready to play a positive role
While his political career appears to be well and truly over, it appears a new opportunity may have arisen for former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa to leave his mark on history.
Dubbed the '7/11 chief executive' for his penchant of long work hours - 7am to 11pm - while in office, Mr Tung has recently had plenty of time to sit back and contemplate the days ahead.
Since his resignation in March, friends said he has visited family members and friends in San Francisco and Shanghai. On his doctor's advice, he also has taken on an exercise regime to help improve his health and bring down his weigh. In fact, he almost disappeared from the public spotlight.
However, during the visit of Vice-President Zeng Qinghong this month Mr Tung re-emerged, and with him came questions of where the former leader fits into the future public-life landscape of Hong Kong.
He sat next to Mr Zeng - with successor Donald Tsang Yam-kuen on the other side - at a welcome dinner at Government House, and was again beside Mr Tsang when the governing team and Hong Kong-based mainland officials held a meeting with Mr Zeng.
Mr Tung again hit the spotlight when - with fellow vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Henry Fok Ying-tung - he had a private breakfast with Mr Zeng.
Before this step back into the public arena, Mr Tung appeared to be determined to be invisible.
Despite his key role in the Disneyland project, he did not appear at the grand opening of the theme park on September 12. Press reports said he visited the park with his grandchildren a few weeks before the opening.
On almost all occasions, Mr Tung also has declined comment on any Hong Kong issues.
The low-profile approach was hardly surprising at a time when public confidence and the community's perceptions of the government were edging back to a healthy level.
It would appear inevitable, however, that Mr Tung and his leadership will remain a subject of debate as Mr Tsang embarks on his own policy agenda with his own approach.
Regardless of circumstances, the success of Mr Tsang in fostering dialogue between leading democrats and Guangdong officials through a Legislative Council fact-finding visit this weekend must, inevitably, be contrasted with the failure of Mr Tung in handling the opposition.
A government plan to enhance the political role of district councils also will be seen as a reversal of the strategy of 'depoliticisation' of the district-tier structure under the Tung administration.
The retiring Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Shelley Lee Lai-kuen is not alone in her belief that society will give a fair assessment on the contribution of Mr Tung.
Some senior officials have said history would be the best judge on his legacy.
In view of the city's political culture, conventional practice and developments in the past eight years, there are many disincentives for Mr Tung re-entering active public life.
His dual official capacities as a CPPCC vice-chairman and former chief executive could complicate his community involvement.
Six months after his resignation, Mr Tung seems at a loss as to what role he should play. There is no precedent and no strict protocol on the 'dos and don'ts' for an ex-chief executive.
It is clear though that Mr Tung has sharp insight and broad perspective on the political and economic dynamics in the increasingly globalised world.
His longtime connections with the corporate world will also be a plus for him to play a positive role in enhancing understanding between China and the world.
His political story may have come to an end, but a new chapter of his life seems set to offer another chance to make history.
