Zhang Zuoqi

Zhang Zuoqi was born in 1928 and died on the 29th day of the first month of the lunar calendar in 2007 (February 16, 2007, Gregorian), at the age of 75. The cause of death was cerebellar atrophy and organ degeneration. Zhang died in Hong Kong in 2007. His funeral was held on March 8 of the same year at the Po Fook Memorial Hall in Sha Tin and followed Buddhist rites. Jacky Cheung and his wife, together with many relatives and friends, attended the memorial service and participated in scripture recitation. The coffin was later transferred to Fu Shan Crematorium for cremation.

Regarding family, Zhang Zuoqi was the father of singer Jacky Cheung. Jacky was unable to return to Hong Kong in time to see his father before he died because he was in the United States preparing for a concert tour. During the funeral, Jacky publicly said that his father’s long illness and passing had been a kind of relief for the family. Jacky’s elder brother, Cheung Hok-chi (Zhang Xuezhi), who had disappeared for more than thirteen years because of gambling debts, secretly returned to Hong Kong to attend the funeral, but the two brothers did not speak to each other at the service.

In his later years Zhang Zuoqi suffered serious health problems. He had previously had cancer and was successfully treated, but in later life cerebellar atrophy caused a gradual decline in bodily functions and he came to rely on medical equipment to sustain him. About six months before his death his condition worsened progressively, and he ultimately died of cerebellar atrophy and organ failure.

His death attracted public attention. At the funeral Jacky Cheung spoke to the media about his father’s illness and thanked the public and friends for their concern, while also asking that the family’s privacy be respected. Media reports repeatedly mentioned the appearance of Cheung’s elder brother and the conflicts between the brothers, which became a focus of public attention.