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, including 15 government-level cooperation documents. The mission, which took place from May 31 to June 5, aimed to deepen economic and trade ties between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and Central Asia.
The delegation comprised 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. “I think the sky is the limit.”
The outcomes underscore Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the city serving as a “super connector” and “super value-adder.” Mr. Lee highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic importance as a commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe, noting it is where the BRI was first proposed and is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. Uzbekistan, situated in the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, offers opportunities in logistics, railway development, and cargo handling.
During the visit, Mr. Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, including its common law system, free capital movement, and separate customs territory. He emphasized that Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China, with its own currency and no capital or foreign exchange controls.
Building on the mission’s success, Mr. Lee welcomed Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev to Hong Kong on June 10 and attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table on June 11. At the event, Mr. Lee outlined three ways Hong Kong could contribute to Alatau City, Kazakhstan’s innovative high-tech hub: 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,” Mr. Lee said. “Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together.”
The agreements and ongoing cooperation are expected to boost trade and investment flows between Hong Kong and Central Asia. For business leaders, this opens new avenues in sectors like infrastructure, mining, and logistics, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a premier financial and innovation hub. The deepening ties also highlight the growing economic integration along the BRI, with potential implications for supply chains and regional development.
Mr. Lee expressed optimism about future collaboration, welcoming Kazakh and Uzbek enterprises to use Hong Kong’s financial platforms and professional services to explore business opportunities. The visit and subsequent agreements mark a significant step in hub-to-hub cooperation between Hong Kong and Central Asian nations.
