A high-level business 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 deepened economic cooperation between Central Asia, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Mainland. The delegation, comprising over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, achieved 15 government-level cooperation documents with each country.
John Lee highlighted the breadth of agreements, stating, '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 outcomes underscore Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, positioning the city as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder.'
Kazakhstan, described by Lee as 'an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe' and the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative, is Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia. Lee noted broad prospects for further cooperation, including logistics, railway development, and cargo handling. Similarly, Uzbekistan, sitting 'in the heart of the corridor of Asia and Europe,' offers opportunities for logistical and infrastructure collaboration.
Lee encouraged Central Asian companies to leverage Hong Kong's advantages under the 'one country, two systems' principle, emphasizing its unique economic, social, legal, and judicial systems. 'We are the only common law jurisdiction in China. We have our own currency, with no capital or foreign exchange controls. We are, as well, a separate customs territory,' he said.
Building on the delegation's success, Lee welcomed Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev to Hong Kong and attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table. At the event, Lee outlined three ways Hong Kong can contribute to Alatau City's development: as a gateway to global capital, to the Chinese Mainland and 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 span diverse sectors, reflecting Hong Kong's role in facilitating Belt and Road projects. The delegation's outcomes demonstrate Hong Kong's potential to serve as a hub-to-hub cooperation model, connecting Central Asia with global markets. More details on the Belt and Road Initiative and Hong Kong's role can be found at Brand Hong Kong.
