A high-level delegation led by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee has returned from a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements, signaling a new phase of economic cooperation between Hong Kong, Central Asia, and the Chinese Mainland. The visit, which took place from May 31 to June 5, involved over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises across various sectors.
The agreements span a wide range of industries, 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," Lee said. "I think the sky is the limit." Among the deals, 15 cooperation documents were signed at the government level with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
This mission underscores 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. Kazakhstan, Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia, is a key logistics hub connecting China and Europe, and was the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative. Lee highlighted the potential for further collaboration, noting that many Belt and Road projects are underway in Uzbekistan as well.
"Uzbekistan sits in the heart of the corridor of Asia and Europe, so logistical development, railway development, and also how we can complement and supplement each other in cargo handling will be an area for a very wide range of co-operation," Lee said. The outcomes of the visit demonstrate the establishment of a hub-to-hub cooperation model between Hong Kong and Central Asian nations.
Lee also encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle. "Under this unique principle, Hong Kong has 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, Lee welcomed Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev to Hong Kong on June 10, and both attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table on June 11. At the event, Lee outlined three ways Hong Kong could contribute to the development of Kazakhstan's innovative 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," Lee said. "Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together." He expressed hope for complementary advantages and coordinated development across sectors, inviting Kazakh enterprises to utilize Hong Kong's financial and innovation platforms, as well as its world-class professional services, to explore new business opportunities.
This visit marks a significant step in deepening ties between Hong Kong and Central Asia, with implications for trade, investment, and infrastructure development along the Belt and Road corridor. For industries ranging from logistics to mining, the agreements open doors for collaboration, while Hong Kong reinforces its position as a critical link between the Chinese Mainland and global markets.
Video highlights of the visit are available at this link and this link. For more information on Brand Hong Kong, visit their official website at https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/.
