A large high-level business delegation led by John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on June 5 wrapped up a five-day visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, achieving fruitful results in strengthening bilateral relations and deepening ties with Central Asia. The delegation of over 70 business and institutional leaders from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland is the largest and most diverse overseas mission led by the current HKSAR Government.
Speaking to the media in Uzbekistan on June 4, Lee outlined three main objectives of the visit: further explore emerging markets and lay the foundation for long-term economic and trade development; strengthen government-to-government relationships and promote closer bilateral cooperation; and build a "hub-to-hub" model of cooperation. The visit yielded achievements in eight areas, including establishing high-level contacts, reaching 96 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (61 with Kazakhstan, 35 with Uzbekistan) involving specific amounts exceeding US$1.65 billion in total, and commencing bilateral discussions on agreements in various areas.
Lee highlighted that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He said Hong Kong would continue to play its roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" to further deepen cooperation and exchanges with Uzbekistan on various fronts. While in Tashkent from June 3 to 5, Lee met with local leaders, government officials, and business representatives, including President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, his Advisor on Strategic Development Sardor Umurzakov, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev.
On June 3, Lee met with Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, after which they jointly witnessed an exchange of notes on a mutual visa-free arrangement allowing a visa-free period of 30 days for visitors from both sides. "Moreover, we are glad to have initialed the Air Services Agreement with Uzbekistan, and look forward to launching direct passenger flights between the two places soon," Lee said during a high-level business dinner on June 4. He pointed out that Hong Kong and Uzbekistan are important trade and investment gateways to their respective regions—the Asia-Pacific and Central Asia.
"It helps that we are all believers in the Belt and Road Initiative, a modern expression of the ancient Silk Road spirit," Lee said. "Today, China is Uzbekistan's largest trading partner, and the two countries work closely on major infrastructure and connectivity projects that are revitalizing the Silk Road. Hong Kong is a pivotal player in the Belt and Road Initiative, thanks to our world-class professional and financial services expertise."
The delegation also toured the IT Park Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization before concluding its visit in Tashkent. The mission deepened project matching and research collaboration in finance, innovation and technology, and aviation, and facilitated people-to-people exchanges by promoting direct flights and extensions to the mutual visa-free period.
