A high-level delegation from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, led by Chief Executive John Lee, has returned from a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements, signaling deepened economic ties between Central Asia, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Mainland.
The business delegation, comprising over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, traveled to the two Central Asian nations from May 31 to June 5. During the visit, 15 cooperation documents were signed at the government level between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively. The agreements span a wide range of sectors, from services to heavy industries such as mining and infrastructure development.
“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,” Mr. Lee said. “I think the sky is the limit.”
The outcomes underscore Hong Kong’s role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, with the city acting as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to promote broader cooperation. Mr. Lee highlighted Kazakhstan’s importance as a commercial and logistics hub linking China and Europe, noting that it is where the Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed and is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. He also pointed to Uzbekistan’s strategic location in the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, offering opportunities in logistics, railway development, and cargo handling.
Mr. Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, which grants the city its own economic, social, legal, legislative, and judicial systems. “We are the only common law jurisdiction in China. We have our own currency, with no capital or foreign exchange controls. We are, as well, a separate customs territory,” he said.
Building on the delegation’s success, Mr. Lee welcomed Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev to Hong Kong on June 10. The following day, they attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table, where Mr. Lee outlined three ways Hong Kong could contribute to the development of Kazakhstan’s innovative, high-tech Alatau City: as a gateway to global capital; a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and the Greater Bay Area; and as a partner in talent and technology.
“We share a development vision with Alatau City and Kazakhstan,” Mr. Lee said. “Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together.” He expressed hope that Hong Kong and Kazakhstan could achieve complementary advantages and coordinated development across sectors, and welcomed Kazakh enterprises to utilize Hong Kong’s financial and innovation platforms, as well as its world-leading professional services, to explore business opportunities.
The visit highlights Hong Kong’s strategic role in connecting Central Asia with global markets, potentially boosting trade and investment flows. For readers, this development could mean increased opportunities for businesses in sectors like finance, logistics, and technology, as Hong Kong strengthens its position as a hub for Belt and Road cooperation.
