A high-level delegation from Hong Kong, led by Chief Executive John Lee, has returned from a six-day visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements, signaling a deepening of economic ties between Central Asia, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Mainland. The delegation, comprising over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, focused on sectors ranging from services to heavy industries such as mining and infrastructure development.
The agreements include 15 government-level cooperation documents with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. During the visit, Lee highlighted the vast potential for collaboration, stating, "The examples of agreements and co-operation are just so abundant that they range from the service sector to heavy industries such as mining and infrastructure development. I think the sky is the limit." The outcomes underscore Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, with the city acting as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to promote hub-to-hub cooperation.
Lee emphasized Kazakhstan's strategic importance as a commercial and logistics hub linking China and Europe, noting it as the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative and Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia. He also pointed to Uzbekistan's position at the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, offering opportunities in logistics, railway development, and cargo handling. Video highlights of the visit are available here and here.
Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, including its common law system, independent currency, absence of capital controls, and status as a separate customs territory. Building on the delegation's success, Lee welcomed Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev to Hong Kong on June 10 and attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table on June 11. At the event, Lee outlined three ways Hong Kong can contribute to Alatau City's development: as a gateway to global capital, a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and the Greater Bay Area, and a partner in talent and technology.
Lee expressed optimism about the future, stating, "We share a development vision with Alatau City and Kazakhstan. Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together." He invited Kazakh enterprises to utilize Hong Kong's financial and innovation platforms, as well as its world-class professional services, to explore new business opportunities. The visit marks a significant step in strengthening economic cooperation between Hong Kong and Central Asia under the Belt and Road framework.
