A high-level business delegation led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee concluded a five-day visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on June 5, achieving significant progress in strengthening bilateral relations and deepening ties with Central Asia. The delegation, comprising over 70 business and institutional leaders from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, was the largest and most diverse overseas mission under the current HKSAR Government term.
Speaking to the media in Uzbekistan on June 4, Lee outlined three main objectives: exploring emerging markets and laying the foundation for long-term economic and trade development; strengthening government-to-government (G2G) relationships and promoting closer bilateral cooperation; and building a "hub-to-hub" model of cooperation. The visit yielded achievements in eight areas, including establishing high-level contacts and reaching consensus on cooperation in multiple sectors.
A total of 96 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed—61 with Kazakhstan and 35 with Uzbekistan—involving specific amounts exceeding US$1.65 billion. The governments agreed to commence bilateral discussions on agreements in various areas, deepening project matching and research collaboration in finance, innovation and technology (I&T), and aviation. The delegation demonstrated Hong Kong's role as a platform for going global, with Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises jointly tapping new markets and leveraging synergistic advantages.
Key outcomes included promoting direct flights, aviation and transport cooperation, and extensions to the mutual visa-free period. While in Tashkent (June 3-5), Lee met with local leaders, government officials, and business representatives to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, finance, I&T, and people-to-people exchanges. He held meetings with Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Advisor on Strategic Development Sardor Umurzakov, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev to exchange views on furthering mutual cooperation.
Lee highlighted that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage, serving as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" to deepen cooperation with Uzbekistan. On June 3, Lee met Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, after which they witnessed an exchange of notes on a mutual visa-free arrangement allowing a 30-day visa-free period for visitors from both sides.
"Moreover, we are glad to have initialed the Air Services Agreement with Uzbekistan, and look forward to launching direct passenger flights between the two places soon," Lee said during a high-level business dinner on June 4. He noted that Hong Kong and Uzbekistan are important trade and investment gateways to the Asia-Pacific and Central Asia, respectively. "It helps that we are all believers in the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, a modern expression of the ancient Silk Road spirit," Lee added. "Today, China is Uzbekistan's largest trading partner, and the two countries work closely on major infrastructure and connectivity projects that are revitalizing the Silk Road. Hong Kong is a pivotal player in the B&R Initiative, thanks to our world-class professional and financial services expertise."
The delegation also toured the IT Park Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization before concluding its visit. The mission underscores Hong Kong's commitment to expanding its global reach and fostering economic partnerships, particularly along the Belt and Road, as it continues to position itself as a hub for international business and innovation.
