Hong Kong has deepened its engagement with Central Asia through a high-level delegation visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from May 31 to June 5, 2026, led by Chief Executive John Lee. The mission, comprising over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, resulted in 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements, including 15 government-level cooperation documents with each country. The agreements span diverse sectors, from services to heavy industries like mining and infrastructure, showcasing the breadth of potential collaboration.
Chief Executive Lee emphasized Hong Kong's strategic role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, positioning the city as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder.' He highlighted Kazakhstan's significance as a commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe, and as the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative. Uzbekistan, sitting at the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, offers opportunities in logistics, railway development, and cargo handling. Lee noted, 'The sky is the limit' for cooperation, pointing to the vast potential in various sectors.
During the visit, Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's advantages under the 'one country, two systems' principle, including its independent legal system, common law jurisdiction, free capital flow, and separate customs territory. These features make Hong Kong an attractive gateway for investment and trade.
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 can 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. He described the current moment as a 'golden opportunity' to bring the two economies closer together, looking forward to complementary advantages and coordinated development.
The outcomes of the trip demonstrate Hong Kong's commitment to fostering hub-to-hub cooperation and expanding its network under the Belt and Road framework. For more details, see the related videos here and here.
