HK
Hong Kong Strengthens Strategic Ties with Central Asia as John Lee Concludes Landmark Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Visit: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has concluded a high-profile visit to Central Asia, leading a delegation of government officials, business leaders, and industry representatives to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in a mission aimed at deepening economic, technological, and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the rapidly growing region.
The visit, which focused on strengthening cooperation under China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative, resulted in a series of agreements and partnerships spanning trade, finance, innovation, education, aviation, and cultural exchanges.
Hong Kong and Uzbekistan Expand Innovation Partnership
During the Uzbekistan leg of the trip, Lee visited IT Park Uzbekistan, one of Central Asia’s leading innovation ecosystems, where he met with Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies Ayubkhon Sultonov to discuss collaboration in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, software development, and technology entrepreneurship.
Several memoranda of understanding were exchanged between IT Park Uzbekistan and major Hong Kong innovation institutions, including Hong Kong Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.
The agreements aim to promote start-up incubation, talent exchanges, joint research and development projects, and broader cooperation in the digital economy.
Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s most digitally competitive economies and emphasized the city’s ambitions to become a global innovation and technology center through projects such as the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
Cultural Diplomacy Takes Center Stage
The delegation also visited the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, one of the country’s most significant cultural and academic institutions dedicated to preserving and showcasing Uzbekistan’s rich Islamic heritage.
Lee said Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West cultural hub creates opportunities for deeper cooperation in museums, cultural preservation, education, and people-to-people exchanges. He expressed optimism that stronger cultural ties would further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two regions.
Business Cooperation and Investment Opportunities
At a business exchange event hosted by the Uzbek government, Lee met with Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov and business leaders from both sides to discuss investment opportunities and economic collaboration.
Lee noted that Uzbekistan’s ongoing economic reforms and improving business environment have created significant opportunities for international investors. He positioned Hong Kong as a gateway for Uzbek businesses seeking access to global capital markets and international investors.
He emphasized Hong Kong’s strengths as an international financial center with a transparent regulatory system, mature capital markets, and extensive global business networks. Areas identified for future cooperation include infrastructure financing, green finance, capital market connectivity, logistics, and professional services.
Nearly 100 Agreements Signed
One of the most significant outcomes of the Central Asia mission was the signing of an unprecedented number of cooperation agreements.
According to the Hong Kong government, a total of 96 memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements were concluded during the visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. These agreements cover sectors including trade, investment, education, finance, aviation, technology, and development projects, with a combined value exceeding US$1.65 billion.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government signed 15 government-level agreements, while businesses, universities, and institutions concluded an additional 81 agreements.
The parties also agreed to initiate discussions on bilateral investment promotion, double taxation avoidance arrangements, customs facilitation, and other measures designed to improve cross-border business cooperation.
Strategic Importance of Central Asia
The visit underscores Hong Kong’s growing focus on expanding economic relationships across the Global South and Belt and Road markets.
Central Asia occupies a strategically important position connecting China with Europe and the Middle East. Countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have become increasingly important partners for China in areas including energy, minerals, logistics, infrastructure development, security cooperation, and technological innovation.
Analysts view the mission as part of Hong Kong’s broader strategy to diversify its international economic partnerships and reduce reliance on traditional Western markets. By leveraging its strengths in finance, trade, shipping, legal services, and professional consulting, Hong Kong aims to become a key gateway connecting Central Asian economies with mainland China and global markets.
A New Chapter in Belt and Road Cooperation
Concluding the visit, Lee described the mission as highly successful and said it had laid the foundation for long-term cooperation between Hong Kong and Central Asia.
The trip is widely seen as a significant step in strengthening Hong Kong’s role within China’s Belt and Road Initiative and enhancing its position as an international “super connector” linking emerging markets with global opportunities.
As economic ties between China and Central Asia continue to deepen, the agreements reached during the visit are expected to create new opportunities for businesses, investors, universities, technology firms, and cultural institutions across the region, opening a new chapter in Hong Kong-Central Asia relations.
