Hong Kong has signed 96 agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan worth US$1.65 billion during city leader John Lee Ka-chiu’s visit to Central Asia, which he hailed as a “successful” mission setting the stage for closer government and business ties with the region. Lee on Thursday also said Hong Kong had initiated an agreement with Uzbekistan…
Published on 04/06/2026 – 15:25 GMT+2 Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee visited Kazakhstan with the largest delegation he has led on any foreign trip — 75 officials and entrepreneurs representing logistics, green energy, mining, technology and education — as China’s trade with Central Asia grew 12% year on year. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart…
Direct flights between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan could save business travellers up to 10 hours and open the city’s shorelines to tourists from landlocked Central Asia, lawmakers have said after the flag carrier announced plans to launch an Almaty route next year. Lawmaker Jonathan Stuart Lamport, who represents the business sector, on Thursday said the…
Hong Kong and Uzbekistan have begun talks on a reciprocal agreement that would allow visitors from both sides visa-free access for up to 30 days. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrived in Tashkent from Kazakhstan on Wednesday evening and met Uzbekistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, with the two witnessing officials from both sides confirm…
Xenophobia and financial woes in the West have created tremendous opportunities for higher education institutions in Hong Kong and the broader Eurasian region, the head of a leading university in Kazakhstan has said. Professor Waqar Ahmad, the president of Nazarbayev University, also revealed on Wednesday that the institution would soon launch another joint undergraduate programme…
The non-executive chairman of Hong Kong rail giant the MTR Corporation has been elected as the new head of the city’s largest business chamber for a one-year term. Jacob Kam Chak-pui, 64, took over as chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday following an election among members, expressing “strong confidence” in…
Two universities in Hong Kong have signed partnership agreements with a leading varsity in Kazakhstan, with the city leader saying the moves will help deepen academic collaboration and strengthen social bonds. The Education University of Hong Kong and Polytechnic University signed separate memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Nazarbayev University on Wednesday to boost cross-border research…
Two Hong Kong media organisations have joined forces with one of Kazakhstan’s largest state-owned conglomerates to strengthen collaboration in journalism and information exchange. The South China Morning Post also signed a partnership with Kazakhstan’s special financial zone to boost ties between Central Asia, Hong Kong and mainland China. The agreements are among 13 memorandums of…
Hong Kong will relaunch direct flights with Almaty in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of next year, the city’s leader has announced in a breakthrough which businesses have said will be essential for easing travel and strengthening ties with Central Asia. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is leading a high-powered delegation to the region,…
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has held talks with Kazakhstan’s president at the start of a visit to Central Asia, highlighting the city’s role as a “superconnector” bridging businesses with global markets, as his delegation sealed a wide range of partnership deals with the nation. Lee began his five-day trip on Monday by discussing…