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 what officials described as fruitful results in strengthening bilateral relations and deepening ties with Central Asia. The delegation, comprising over 70 business and institutional leaders from Hong Kong and mainland China, was the largest and most diverse overseas mission undertaken by the current HKSAR government.
Speaking to the media in Uzbekistan on June 4, Lee outlined three main objectives: exploring emerging markets for long-term economic development, strengthening government-to-government relationships, and building a "hub-to-hub" cooperation model. The visit yielded achievements in eight areas, including high-level contacts, 96 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) totaling over $1.65 billion, and agreements to commence bilateral discussions on various fronts.
Specifically, 61 agreements were reached with Kazakhstan and 35 with Uzbekistan. The governments also agreed to deepen project matching and research collaboration in finance, innovation and technology, and aviation. Lee highlighted Hong Kong's role as a platform for going global, with Hong Kong and mainland enterprises joining forces to tap new markets.
During his stay in Tashkent from June 3 to 5, Lee met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Advisor Sardor Umurzakov, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev to discuss mutual cooperation. He emphasized that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys both China and global advantages, positioning it as a "super connector" and "super value-adder."
On June 3, Lee witnessed the exchange of notes on a mutual visa-free arrangement allowing 30-day visa-free stays for visitors from Hong Kong and Uzbekistan. He also noted the initialing of an Air Services Agreement, paving the way for direct passenger flights. "It helps that we are all believers in the Belt and Road Initiative, a modern expression of the ancient Silk Road spirit," Lee said at a business dinner on June 4, adding that China is Uzbekistan's largest trading partner.
The delegation toured IT Park Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization before concluding the visit. The agreements and MoUs are expected to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, finance, I&T, and people-to-people exchanges, further integrating Hong Kong with Central Asia's development.
