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Central Asia
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Central Asia

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Central Asia
Central Asia
News from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Illustration: Henry Wong
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong is betting on integration with mainland China but what are the risks?

Integration offers strategic gains amid geopolitical tensions with West, but Hong Kong must retain unique qualities for businesses to thrive, executives say.

China exports

‘Too many uncertainties’: why China’s exporters remain wary despite US-Iran deal

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Science

Drowning desert: how Xinjiang’s infrastructure could fail under record rain

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Science

Study shows 4,000-year battle of Eastern and Western genes in China’s heartland

Wars and trade saw human genes from East and West fuse as over a million Han dynasty immigrants moved to Ningxia, genomics research reveals.

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Wen Shaoqing, corresponding author of a paper published in Nature Communications, observes the collected remains. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

Malaysia’s nationwide diesel subsidy gets citizens all pumped up

Diesel is currently US$1.05 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia, compared to a subsidised price of 50 US cents in Sabah and Sarawak.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to roll out measures boosting offshore yuan trading in July

Government wants more listed firms trading stocks in renminbi and will use city’s hub status to help mainland Chinese firms expand overseas.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers debut right-hand drive models for Southeast Asian push

Chinese brands, including BYD, Jaecoo and Wuling Motors, captured 17.6 per cent of Indonesia’s car market in the first quarter of 2026.

A view of the show floor at the International Automotive and Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong on Thursday. Photo: May Tse
US, Israel war on Iran

China urged to boost navy escorts and find other routes to secure energy supply

Closure of Strait of Hormuz has exposed fragility of maritime chokepoints and more should be done to protect shipments, analysts say.

Afghanistan

Afghan government workers face sack, jail after smartphone ban begins

Employees will be available only ‘via telephone calls and email’, an official says, citing an order from the supreme leader.

Diplomacy

Opinion | How Asia can benefit from a Russia-India-China dialogue revival

Far from acting as another bloc, such a grouping could help ensure that regional competition is managed rather than reproduced.

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(From left to right) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019. Photo: SPUTNIK / AFP
Hong Kong economy

Publisher's Pen | Hong Kong’s media must go global amid tech disruption, economic uncertainty

Deals signed during city leader’s Central Asian trip have opened new doors for industry, but it’s up to companies to boldly step through them.

Chief Executive John Lee (left) pauses for a selfie with Astana International Financial Centre Governor Renat Bekturov at the AIFC headquarters in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 1. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

HKEX, Kazakhstan’s AIFC explore dual listings with miners after landmark debut

Head of Astana’s special financial zone says deals signed with Hong Kong during John Lee’s visit mark ‘important milestone’ for cooperation.

John Lee

Exclusive | ‘Not giving up on any market’: John Lee on his push for Hong Kong’s interests

Traditional markets such as US and Europe matter just as much even as city seeks new partners, Hong Kong leader says.

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Diplomacy

Outside In | Central Asia is finally coming into its own

The region’s five countries, inadvertent beneficiaries of Chinese infrastructure investment, then wars and tariffs elsewhere, are finding their feet.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (second left) visits the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 5. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

Open Questions | AIIB chief Zou Jiayi on financing Asia’s green transition

President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on how it bridges differences to build a more sustainable, climate-resilient world.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong economy

Kazakhstan bank turns to Hong Kong as gateway to offshore renminbi finance

Chinese-backed Altyn Bank says Kazakh investors are turning to Hong Kong dim sum bonds to raise long-term capital for regional infrastructure.

Yuan

‘Increasingly influential’ use of China’s currency puts euro on notice

The US dollar is still dominant, but a slump in Europe may see China’s currency gain strength and reach the No 2 spot in global settlements.

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China airliners

Air China C909 hits bird as Chinese jets face growing ‘real-world’ tests

Wildlife strike in Beijing caught on video near popular vantage point, illustrating how rising flight volumes expose Comac’s fleet of jets to more operational risks.

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A suspected bird strike on a Chinese-made C909 regional jet in Beijing reportedly left some marks on its nose and airframe, but experts said the likelihood of any severe damage was very low. Photo: handout
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong unleashes new growth engine through landmark Central Asia mission

The deals signed during the chief executive’s trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan underscore the potential economic synergy that can be unleashed.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Why Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are drawing closer

As Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its financial partnerships and deepen engagement with China, Hong Kong’s offerings stand out.

Hong Kong economy

Lantau reclamation plans should be revived, property tycoon Gordon Wu says

Lack of urban land will hold back city’s development as population grows, Hopewell Holdings chairman argues.

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Hopewell chairman Gordon Wu says Hong Kong has to think ahead. Photo: May Tse
Food and Drinks

Chinese photographers serve a visual feast at World Food Photography Awards 2026

Hotpot feasts, communal banquets and street food scenes were the highlights from Chinese photographers during this year’s competition.

A family preparing red glutinous rice cakes for Chinese New Year in Putian, Fujian province, China. The photo was featured in the annual World Food Photography Awards. Photo: Chen Ying/World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi
Armenia

Armenia sets course towards West as Pashinyan secures election win

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gets a third consecutive term following a general election.

Hong Kong economy

Central Asia tipped to be Hong Kong’s next logistics hub: Airport Authority head

Chairman Fred Lam says flight disruptions in Middle East and Russia make region viable hub connecting Asia and Europe.

Hong Kong economy

96 deals signed, flights planned: what’s next for Hong Kong and Central Asia?

Observers say real challenge lies ahead as government and business stakeholders follow up to realise gains.

Chief Executive John Lee (pointing) tours Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan. Photo: Handout
China-Russia relations

Chinese military team inspects Russia bases as Putin hails ‘natural allies’

Two-day inspection trip this week was part of routine verification exercise under 1996 and 1997 border agreements, Tass reports.

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A PLA inspection team pays its respects at a memorial site during a visit to several facilities in Russia’s Eastern Military District this week. Photo: Tass
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong signs 96 agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan worth US$1.65 billion

City leader John Lee hails Central Asia visit as setting stage for closer government and business ties with region.

Hong Kong economy

Direct Hong Kong-Almaty flights ‘will save travellers 10 hours, draw tourists’

Lawmakers say new route set to be launched next year will strengthen business ties and bring tourists to Hong Kong shores, with visa-free access under discussion.

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