Hong Kong deepens ties with Central Asia, unlocking new opportunities under Belt and Road Initiative

A high-level Hong Kong delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee has returned from a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements, including 15 government-level cooperation documents, signalling a new phase of economic partnership between Hong Kong and Central Asia. The delegation, comprising over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, visited the two countries from May 31 to June 5, 2026.

Speaking about the outcomes, Mr Lee said, "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 agreements cover a wide array of sectors, underscoring Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" under the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. A video summary of the visit is available here.

Mr Lee highlighted Kazakhstan's significance as an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe, noting that it is where the B&R Initiative was first proposed and is Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia. He also pointed to Uzbekistan's strategic location in the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, opening avenues for cooperation in logistics, railway development, and cargo handling. More details on these opportunities can be found in a separate video here.

The Chief Executive encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, which includes a common law legal system, its own currency, no capital or foreign exchange controls, and status as a separate customs territory. He emphasized that Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China.

Building on the delegation's success, Mr 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, Mr Lee outlined three concrete ways Hong Kong could contribute to the development 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," Mr Lee said. "Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together." He looked forward to complementary advantages and coordinated development across sectors, inviting Kazakh enterprises to utilize Hong Kong's financial and innovation platforms, as well as its world-leading professional services.

The visit underscores Hong Kong's strategic role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, establishing a hub-to-hub cooperation model with Central Asia. For more information about Brand Hong Kong, visit their official website.