Hong Kong Deepens Ties with Central Asia in Landmark Delegation Visit

Hong Kong is deepening its ties with Central Asia following a high-level delegation visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan led by Chief Executive John Lee. The six-day trip, from May 31 to June 5, involved over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, resulting in 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements. Among these, 15 cooperation documents were signed at the government level with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The agreements span diverse sectors, from services to heavy industries like mining and infrastructure development, reflecting what Mr. Lee described as limitless potential for collaboration. This mission underscores Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, positioning the city as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to foster hub-to-hub cooperation.

Kazakhstan, Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia and the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative, offers broad prospects for further cooperation, particularly in logistics and infrastructure. Uzbekistan, situated at the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, presents opportunities in railway development and cargo handling. Mr. Lee highlighted the unique advantages of Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" principle, including its common law system, separate customs territory, and absence of capital controls, encouraging Central Asian companies to leverage these strengths. Building on the delegation's success, Mr. Lee welcomed Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev to Hong Kong and participated in the Alatau City Investment Round Table, where he outlined three ways Hong Kong can contribute to Alatau City's development: as a gateway to global capital, to the Chinese Mainland and Greater Bay Area, and as a partner in talent and technology.

The visit's outcomes demonstrate Hong Kong's commitment to expanding its role in the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthening economic ties with Central Asia. Mr. Lee expressed optimism about complementary advantages and coordinated development across sectors, urging Kazakh enterprises to utilize Hong Kong's financial, innovation, and professional services platforms. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong's website at https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/.