Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov Holds Talks with Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee on Trade and Economic Cooperation

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

The talks focused on prospects for expanding trade and economic cooperation. In particular, the parties discussed mechanisms for developing transport and logistics routes, expanding investment cooperation, as well as joint projects in the fields of digitalization, education, and tourism.

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

John Lee noted that the results of the meetings and negotiations confirmed new horizons for further cooperation with Kazakhstan. According to him, representatives of the business communities of Hong Kong and mainland China view Kazakhstan as an important partner for expanding cooperation and accessing Central Asian markets.

“We are witnessing impressive and sustainable economic growth achieved in a relatively short period under the leadership of your President. Kazakhstan has significant potential, and relations with China are strategic and long-term in nature. The outcomes of this visit have further strengthened our confidence in the substantial potential for continued cooperation and the promising prospects of developing a ‘hub-to-hub’ partnership model. Your country occupies a strategic position in Central Asia, at the crossroads of key transport and logistics corridors between Asia and Europe. I am convinced that there are many areas for effective cooperation,” said John Lee.

China remains one of Kazakhstan’s key trading partners: bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 48.7 billion last year. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong increased by 40% to USD 180 million. The Head of Government of Kazakhstan noted significant potential for further growth in trade. Kazakhstan has established and continues to develop a highly favorable investment environment aimed at the priority development of manufacturing industries and advanced technologies.

To further expand bilateral trade, the “Kazakhstan–Xinjiang–Hong Kong” format was considered as a promising model of economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. This mechanism is expected to serve as a permanent platform for dialogue and the implementation of joint projects aimed at promoting goods and services among interested parties.

Hong Kong serves as an important transport hub for Kazakhstan, providing access for domestic products to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Olzhas Bektenov proposed using Kazakhstan’s airport infrastructure for the further transit of cargo from Hong Kong and China to European Union countries.

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong identified IT and artificial intelligence as priority areas of cooperation. It was noted that digital transformation has become a key driver of national competitiveness, as innovation creates new opportunities across various sectors of the economy. Hong Kong has a well-developed high-tech ecosystem, while Kazakhstan is pursuing accelerated technological transformation. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.

In this regard, the potential for combining Hong Kong’s applied expertise with Kazakhstan’s large-scale initiatives was highlighted, including platforms such as Astana Hub, the Alatau Technology Park, and the Alem.AI Center. Kazakhstan is ready to provide international partners not only with infrastructure, but also with state guarantees, special regulatory regimes, and access to skilled professionals, enabling Hong Kong to actively participate in the localization of its technological developments in Kazakhstan.

The meeting also covered cooperation in education and cultural exchange, including strengthening partnerships between universities in Kazakhstan and Hong Kong. Currently, 500 Kazakh students are studying in Hong Kong, most of them on scholarships provided by the Hong Kong SAR Government and local universities.

John Lee announced plans for a Hong Kong airline to launch a direct flight to Almaty next year. The parties noted that both the geography and frequency of air services with Kazakhstan are expected to increase in the future, contributing to the further development of the tourism sector.

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