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Belt and Road Initiative

Belt and Road Initiative
The initiative spearheaded by the Chinese government and endorsed by President Xi Jinping in late 2013 aims to improve trade and economic integration across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
In 2025, the Middle East was Hong Kong’s 10th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods of HK$192.8 billion, making it a significant stand in the various t rade networks that make up the Belt and Road Initiative. Photo: Karim Sahib, AFP
Belt and Road 2026

Ancient Silk Road to modern Belt and Road: how Hong Kong bridges China and the Middle East

As the Middle East seeks economic diversification, Hong Kong acts as the financial gateway for investment.

China trade

Kazakhstan to launch QR payments with China, expanding yuan’s reach in retail

Belt and Road 2026

Editorial | Hong Kong cements superconnector role with wave of belt and road deals

Yuan

Investment surge in Central Asia drives calls for Chinese yuan use

Use of the currency can cut risks and costs for infrastructure firms active in the mineral-rich region, according to speakers on an investment panel.

Use of the yuan in Southeast Asia and Africa proves the currency has a role where there is demand, according to speakers at a summit in Hong Kong on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong can become AI literacy hub, industry leaders say

City can also help build trustworthy AI, experts tell panel discussion co-organised by the SCMP at the Belt and Road Summit.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong, Kazakhstan sign MOU on transport lab, discuss low-altitude economy

Kazakh vice-minister Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev says his country envisions connecting mainland tech companies with Hong Kong financial tools.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong a ‘2-way springboard’ between mainland China and world: John Lee

Speaking at Belt and Road Summit, chief executive says city is taking structured approach to new markets in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Central Asia.

Hong Kong leader John Lee delivers the opening address at the Belt and Road Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong

Letters | Belt and Road Initiative is more than a trade and investment platform

Readers discuss how far the belt and road framework has come, the use of AI in official translations, and the start of the school year.

Belt and Road 2026

Why Central Asia is turning to China for its renewable energy revolution

The Belt and Road Initiative, with its massive investments in wind, solar and nuclear power, is quietly reshaping the region’s energy future.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | For Hong Kong and Central Asia, the real work lies ahead

Building on the success of Chief Executive John Lee’s June trip, both sides must now build a durable commercial architecture.

A view of Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 29. Photo: Photothek via Getty Images
Special Reports

Hong Kong’s push to become the Belt and Road’s higher education hub

Tertiary institutions such as PolyU, EdUHK and HKUST are establishing lasting academic and industry partnerships across the world.

The city’s higher education institutions, like HKUST, have developed programmes to strengthen cross-border academic ties. Photo: May Tse
Special Reports

Hong Kong’s push for human infrastructure beyond ports and railways

Beyond physical trade routes, the city’s museums, universities and orchestras are cultivating the personal relationships needed to sustain international cooperation.

Central Asia

China rallies Central Asian police chiefs on terrorism threats, energy and trade

Security ministers from five nations back Beijing initiative targeting extremism, border order and telecoms fraud.

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Education in Hong Kong

Kazakhstan aims to become education hub, but experts say jobs must match skills

Experts on panel at SCMP’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026 say collaboration with Hong Kong and mainland universities is in the pipeline.

Nazarbayev University in Astana. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong economy

Kazakhstan, Hong Kong ‘can build biotech unicorns by linking talent and capital’

Top academic tells SCMP event there’s real opportunity to connect capital, ideas and state support across the two regions.

Professor Huck-Hui Ng says Kazakhstan’s nascent biotech sector has already produced several start-ups in areas such as AI and digital health. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong economy

How can Hong Kong, Central Asia build momentum on growing ties, go beyond MOUs?

Tourism, professional services, mining and digital infrastructure prospects discussed at SCMP’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong a ‘trusted partner’ to drive Central Asia growth, city leader says

Central Asia offers immense potential for global businesses, John Lee reveals as SCMP’s China Conference debuts in Astana.

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SCO

China marks major tunnel milestone for Central Asia railway bypassing Russia

Conceived in 1997, the 500km China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will offer the shortest land route from China to the Middle East and Europe.

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Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov (right) welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to the capital Bishkek on August 30. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to propel belt and road market expansion, finance chief says

Paul Chan’s pledge comes ahead of 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong this week.

China-Latin America relations

Ecuador ex-president, Chinese envoy seek to avoid jail over belt and road dam

Sentenced over US$76 million in bribes, Lenin Moreno and former ambassador Cai Runguo want Ecuador’s top court to spare them prison.

Hong Kong

Opinion | 3 key belt and road connectivities that Hong Kong drives

Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Office is focusing on strengthening links related to infrastructure, rules and standards, and people-to-people connections.

Visitors take pictures with 2-metre-tall promoters at Kazakhstan booth at Hong Kong’s International Travel Expo on June 11. The Belt and Road Office has concluded memorandums with key institutions in Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, laying solid groundwork for collaboration. Photo: Nora Tam
Mainland China

How China’s rail diplomacy could shield regional supply chains from shocks

China’s Kyrgyzstan rail pledge highlights wider drive to knit Asia together and strengthen trade links.

President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Japarov sign a joint declaration on the development of the China-Kyrgyzstan partnership on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
In Focus

In Focus | Can Beijing’s gateway plan for Tibet survive geopolitics and natural disasters?

Beijing hopes trade will stabilise Tibet, but friction with India and the looming Dalai Lama succession are hampering its efforts.

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China-Latin America relations

Why Ecuador’s president is in China while enhancing security links with Trump

Ecuadorian president lands in Beijing seeking to free up key exports and gain Chinese investment, months after deepening US security ties.

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China trade

China’s Central Asia push

China has become Central Asia’s top trading partner, with two-way trade surpassing US$100 billion last year on the back of increased oil and gas imports.

China’s Central Asia push
US-China trade war

US faults China over vague overseas lending, warns of emerging-market debt risks

US State Department introduces tougher disclosure requirement covering sovereign loans, liabilities and collateral.

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The US State Department said in its 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report on Tuesday that China had failed to meet its minimum transparency requirements. Photo: Reuters
China-Asean relations

China completes milestone test of US$10.8 billion canal link to Southeast Asia

Patrol vessel’s full run along Pinglu Canal moves megaproject closer to a planned September launch.

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India-Pakistan tensions

Maldives’ plea to restart South Asian bloc hits India-Pakistan brick wall

Calls for reviving Saarc are likely to fall on deaf ears as long as the two neighbours are at loggerheads, analysts say.

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