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 significant deepening of ties between Central Asia and Hong Kong. The delegation, comprising over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, concluded 15 cooperation documents at the government level with each country.
Chief Executive John Lee highlighted the breadth of agreements, 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 reinforce 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 hub-to-hub cooperation.
Kazakhstan, described by Lee as "an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe" and "Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia," offers broad prospects for further collaboration. Uzbekistan, situated at the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, presents opportunities in logistics, railway development, and cargo handling. Lee emphasized the potential for complementary cooperation, noting that "a lot of B&R projects are also being pursued in Uzbekistan."
During the visit, Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, which grants Hong Kong its own economic, social, legal, and judicial systems, a separate currency with no capital controls, and status as a separate customs territory. These features make Hong Kong an attractive gateway for Central Asian businesses looking to expand.
Following the delegation's return, Lee hosted Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev in Hong Kong and attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table. At the event, Lee outlined three concrete ways Hong Kong can contribute to the success of Kazakhstan's innovative Alatau City: as a gateway to global capital, as 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, calling the occasion "a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together."
The agreements span diverse sectors, from services to heavy industries, demonstrating Hong Kong's multifaceted role in facilitating Belt and Road cooperation. Lee expressed optimism about complementary advantages and coordinated development across sectors, welcoming Kazakh enterprises to utilize Hong Kong's financial, innovation, and professional services platforms. The mission, covered by video and additional footage, underscores Hong Kong's commitment to deepening ties with Central Asia amid growing global interest in the Belt and Road Initiative.
