First Chinese graduate of West Point: how my grandfather modernised China's army and became a subtle liaison with the US
Ex-chief executive Tung Chee-hwa's sister-in-law recalls the achievements of her grandfather
Growing up, Harriet Tung didn't know much about her grandfather's past.
She only knew he was a general in China in the 1900s and that he had gone to the US Military Academy at West Point.
Yet she can recall the way he would prepare meticulously for functions at the prestigious academy, which piqued her curiosity about the military career about which he had always kept silent.
"He would get very excited, and he would put on his hat and his suit," said Tung, now in her sixties and living in Hong Kong. "We [would say] 'oh, grandfather must have a West Point function because he's all dressed up'."
Ying Hsing Wen (溫應星), Tung's grandfather, was no ordinary soldier.
In 1909, he was the first cadet from China to graduate from West Point. Upon returning to China, Wen was immediately tasked with modernising the Chinese army. He then proceeded to join the movement to overthrow the Qing dynasty.