Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, was born on 31 July 1939 in Hong Kong, China. In 1964 he was sent to Rome to study at the Pontifical Urbaniana University where he earned a doctorate in dogmatic theology.

He was ordained a priest by Pope Paul VI on 6 January 1966, together with 61 other deacons from 23 mission countries. In 1970 he became president of the diocesan Ecumenical Commission and, in 1980, director of the Holy Spirit Study Centre. He has also worked on the journal Concilium.

In December 1992 he became vicar general of the Diocese of Hong Kong.

On 13 September 1996 he was appointed titular Bishop of Bossa and Auxiliary of Hong Kong. He received episcopal ordination on 9 December 1996.

On 30 January 2008 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Hong Kong.

On 15 April 2009 he became Bishop of Hong Kong.

He was President Delegate of the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in the Vatican on 7-28 October 2012, on the theme "The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith".

Appointed by Pope Francis, he participated in the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2014) on The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.

He was a Member of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

He participated in the conclave of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 18 February 2012, of the Title of Regina Apostolorum (Queen of Apostles).