A high-level delegation from Hong Kong, led by Chief Executive John Lee, has returned from a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements, signaling a significant deepening of ties between Hong Kong, Central Asia, and the Chinese Mainland. The mission, which took place from May 31 to June 5, included 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," Mr. Lee said, adding, "I think the sky is the limit." Notably, 15 cooperation documents were signed at the government level with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
These outcomes underscore Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, actively serving as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to promote broader cooperation and establish a hub-to-hub model. Mr. Lee highlighted Kazakhstan's importance as a commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe, noting it is Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia and the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative. 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.
To further capitalize on the mission'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 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," Mr. Lee said, describing the moment as "a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together."
Throughout the visit, Mr. Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, including its own economic, social, legal, and judicial systems, common law jurisdiction, separate currency with no capital controls, and status as a separate customs territory. This framework positions Hong Kong as an ideal gateway for Central Asian enterprises looking to access the Chinese Mainland and global markets.
The delegation's achievements demonstrate Hong Kong's commitment to deepening economic ties with Central Asia, building on the Belt and Road Initiative's vision of connectivity and cooperation. As Mr. Lee noted, the agreements span multiple sectors, from services to heavy industry, and the potential for further collaboration is vast. With Hong Kong's role as a super connector and its unique institutional advantages, the city is well-positioned to facilitate mutual growth and development between Central Asia, China, and the rest of the world.
