Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, John Lee.

During the talks, the parties discussed prospects for expanding trade and economic cooperation. Particular attention was given to mechanisms for developing transport and logistics routes, strengthening investment cooperation, and implementing joint projects in the fields of digitalization, education, and tourism.

“Developing mutually beneficial relations with China remains one of the key priorities of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. Today, Kazakh-Chinese partnership has reached an unprecedented level and serves as a model of good neighbourliness, mutual trust, and long-term cooperation. Last year was particularly significant in terms of the intensity of political dialogue. Reciprocal visits and meetings at the level of Heads of State provided a strong impetus to the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee noted that the outcomes of the meetings and negotiations had opened up new horizons for further cooperation with Kazakhstan. According to him, business communities in Hong Kong and mainland China view Kazakhstan as an important partner for expanding cooperation and accessing Central Asian markets.

“We have witnessed the impressive and sustainable economic growth achieved within a short period under the leadership of your President. Kazakhstan possesses tremendous opportunities, while its relations with China are strategic and long-term in nature. The results of this visit have further strengthened our confidence in the significant potential for future cooperation and the promising prospects of developing a ‘hub-to-hub’ partnership model. Your country occupies a strategic position in Central Asia, located at the crossroads of key transport and logistics routes linking Asia and Europe. I am convinced that there are many areas in which we can work together effectively,” John Lee said.

China remains one of Kazakhstan’s key trading partners. Last year, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $48.7 billion. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong increased by 40%, reaching $180 million. The Prime Minister noted the substantial potential for further expanding trade volumes. Kazakhstan has established and continues to develop one of the most favorable investment environments, focused on the priority development of manufacturing industries and advanced technologies.

To further enhance bilateral trade, the parties discussed the “Kazakhstan–Xinjiang–Hong Kong” format as a promising model of economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. This cooperation mechanism will be developed as a permanent platform for exchanging views and implementing joint projects aimed at promoting trade in goods and services among interested parties.

For Kazakhstan, Hong Kong serves as an important transport hub for exporting domestic products to markets across the Asia-Pacific region. Olzhas Bektenov proposed utilizing the infrastructure of Kazakhstan’s airports for the further transportation of cargo from Hong Kong and China to European Union countries.

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong identified information technology and artificial intelligence among the priority areas of cooperation. It was noted that digital transformation is becoming a defining factor in strengthening national competitiveness, as innovation creates new opportunities across various sectors of the economy. Hong Kong possesses a highly developed high-tech ecosystem. Kazakhstan is committed to accelerating its technological transformation, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.

In this regard, the parties highlighted the potential for combining Hong Kong’s practical expertise with Kazakhstan’s large-scale initiatives, supported by such innovation platforms as Astana Hub, Alatau Innovation Technology Park, and the Alem.AI Center. Kazakhstan is prepared to offer international partners not only infrastructure, but also state guarantees, special regulatory regimes, and access to a highly qualified workforce, enabling Hong Kong companies to actively localize their developments in the country.

The meeting also addressed cooperation in education and cultural exchange. In particular, the parties discussed strengthening partnerships between universities in Kazakhstan and Hong Kong. Currently, approximately 500 Kazakhstani students are studying in Hong Kong, the majority of whom receive education through scholarships provided by the Hong Kong SAR Government and local universities.

John Lee also announced plans for a Hong Kong airline to launch direct flights to Almaty next year. The parties noted that the geography and frequency of air connections with Kazakhstan are expected to expand further in the future. Joint measures undertaken by both sides will contribute to the continued growth of the tourism sector.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation. The Government of Kazakhstan will take all necessary measures to ensure the dynamic development of partnership with Hong Kong across all sectors of the economy.

#Olzhas Bektenov #International Cooperation #Investments #Logistics #Trade and economic cooperation #Transport

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