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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.
Passengers take selfies in a carriage on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway in Indonesia on October 17, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese offshore investment

Indonesia eyes China for massive 2,772km railway project – with caution

As Jakarta explores foreign backing for the Trans-Kalimantan railway, analysts say costly past ventures could shape any coming negotiations.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | What China really means when it says it’s being ‘strategic’

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Belt and Road 2026

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

China trade

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

Planned launch follows existing cooperation between super apps Alipay and Kaspi.kz, letting travellers use home-country app at certain merchants without exchanging cash.

A man demonstrates in April how a QR code is used to make a retail payment with the Alipay app in Indonesia. Kazakhstan now plans to launch QR-code payments with China by the end of this year. Photo: Xinhua
Belt and Road 2026

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

The city has become central to the Belt and Road Initiative’s evolution from infrastructure projects to digital and hi-tech connectivity.

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.

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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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(From left) Artificial Intelligence Association of Hong Kong founder and chairman Neil Tan, IBM Consulting's Sony Angel Han, Fano Labs' Albert Lam and Ellen Lau of Preface AI at the panel discussion. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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

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.

A Chinese communication engineer guides a Kenyan staff member on backup power replacement for the communication system at Mtito Andei station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya on July 23. The railway is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiaitve. Photo: Xinhua
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.

For now, Central Asia relies heavily on natural gas but increasingly large sums are being spent on developing sources of clean energy. Photo: AP
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.

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.

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.

Exhibitions like the recent one of Ancient Egyptian treasures at the Hong Kong Palace Museum are not just about ‘soft power’ but can establish meaningful and lasting links between professionals, academics and institutions. Photo: Karma Lo
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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Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong (third from right) attends the China-Central Asia ministerial conference on public security and internal affairs in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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.

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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.

Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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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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.

Hong Kong will host 11th Belt and Road Summit this week, an annual event that promotes business among participating nations. Photo: Kit Lai
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.

Former Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno appears with his wife, Rocio Gonzalez, at the National Court of Justice in Quito in May. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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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Illustration: Huy Truong
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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Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa arrives in Beijing on August 16 to begin a state visit to China. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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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