Where as a child he studied several forms of martial arts, in particular Hung Boxing. During his teenage years, Tong excelled in many sports such as soccer and basketball.Attended school at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
After graduating from high school, he moved to Canada, where he taught martial arts.Tong idolized stars such as Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung who got their start as stuntmen and was anxious to follow in their footsteps. He was often called upon to double for some of Hong Kong's top stars, from Chow Yun-Fat to Ti Lung, and even female stars such as Maggie Cheung.By 1983, the various injuries that any stuntman receives began to take their toll and Tong became an assistant director.By 1987, Tong had moved on to co-directing films.
Tong's brother-in-law was famous kung fu film star , who passed away in 2002.
Tong preceded to make three of Chan's greatest works: Supercop (1992), Rumble in the Bronx (1995), and First Strike (1996).
