Guyanese President. He served as the 1st President of Guyana from 1970 to 1980. Born at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara in British Guiana, he was the youngest of eight children. He attended Windsor Forest and Blankenburg Primary Schools before going to J. I. Ramphal's Modern High School. In 1938, he entered the service of the Ministry of Lands and Mines as an apprentice surveyor. He later entered the Middle Temple of London, England and was qualified as a barrister in 1947. He then became a puisne judge and finally an Appeal Court Judge in 1963. In 1970, Guyana became a republic under Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, and Chung was elected the first President by the National Assembly. He became the first ethnic Chinese head of state in a non-Asian country. During his presidency, Guyana was the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China. At that time, the presidency of Guyana was a ceremonial position, and in 1980, the presidency became an executive position under a constitutional revision. Chung was succeeded as President by Forbes Burnham. He was honored with Guyana's highest national honor, the Order of Excellence.
Guyanese President. He served as the 1st President of Guyana from 1970 to 1980. Born at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara in British Guiana, he was the youngest of eight children. He attended Windsor Forest and Blankenburg Primary Schools before going to J. I. Ramphal's Modern High School. In 1938, he entered the service of the Ministry of Lands and Mines as an apprentice surveyor. He later entered the Middle Temple of London, England and was qualified as a barrister in 1947. He then became a puisne judge and finally an Appeal Court Judge in 1963. In 1970, Guyana became a republic under Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, and Chung was elected the first President by the National Assembly. He became the first ethnic Chinese head of state in a non-Asian country. During his presidency, Guyana was the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China. At that time, the presidency of Guyana was a ceremonial position, and in 1980, the presidency became an executive position under a constitutional revision. Chung was succeeded as President by Forbes Burnham. He was honored with Guyana's highest national honor, the Order of Excellence.
Bio by: Tasik Austin
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