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, signaling a significant deepening of ties between Central Asia, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Mainland. The delegation, comprising over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, focused on sectors ranging 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,” Lee said. “I think the sky is the limit.” The visit, which took place from May 31 to June 5, included the signing of 15 government-level co-operation documents with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively.
The outcomes underscore Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, with the city acting as a “super connector” and “super value-adder.” Lee highlighted Kazakhstan's importance as a commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe, noting it is the largest trading partner for Hong Kong in Central Asia and the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative. He also pointed to Uzbekistan's strategic location in the heart of the Asia-Europe corridor, opening avenues for co-operation in logistics, railway development, and cargo handling. A video of Lee's remarks is available at https://youtu.be/LgPe9R4ThII?si=Tw3RR_-vyRR6DLMU.
Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, which includes a common law legal system, a separate customs territory, its own currency, and no capital or foreign exchange controls. “Under this unique principle, Hong Kong has its own economic, social, legal, legislative and judicial systems. We are the only common law jurisdiction in China,” he said in a video at https://youtu.be/3BHeD0NGioo?si=xCPWMCpGCPsRm2kF.
Building on the mission'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 could contribute to Alatau City, an innovative high-tech hub: 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. “We share a development vision with Alatau City and Kazakhstan,” Lee said. “Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together.”
The agreements are expected to foster hub-to-hub co-operation, with Hong Kong serving as a bridge for Central Asian enterprises to access Chinese and global markets. Lee welcomed Kazakh enterprises to utilize Hong Kong's financial, innovation, and professional services platforms to explore new business opportunities. The developments highlight Hong Kong's continued integration into the Belt and Road framework and its strategic importance as a gateway between East and West.
