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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.
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
Food and Drinks

Visual feast: Chinese photographers shine 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.

European Union

Armenia’s ruling party leads parliamentary vote with 54% in early results

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Hong Kong economy

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

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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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.

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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.

Cathay Pacific will launch direct flights to Almaty in the first quarter of next year. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong economy

Direct flights between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan to launch this year, sources say

Direct flights between Hong Kong and Tashkent to start as talks begin on reciprocal 30-day visa-free stay agreement to boost trade, tourism and regional ties.

Education in Hong Kong

West’s xenophobia, cash woes present huge openings for Hong Kong, scholar says

Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev University set to launch another joint undergraduate programme with Polytechnic University.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Kazakhstan partnerships redefine Hong Kong’s strategic role in Central Asia

Chief Executive John Lee’s trip has delivered concrete results that will enhance business and economic ties and boost tourism.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (left) meets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (second right), in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 1, to exchange views on deepening bilateral relations. Photo: Handout
Education in Hong Kong

Universities in Hong Kong and Kazakhstan deepen ties during Lee’s visit

Education University of Hong Kong and Polytechnic University sign agreements with Nazarbayev University on research and other areas.

Hong Kong leader John Lee (right) and Professor Waqar Ahmad, president of Nazarbayev University. Photo: Jeffie Lam
Hong Kong economy

‘At least 1 firm under Kazakh wealth fund will list in Hong Kong this year’

Trade Development Council chairman Frederick Ma points to Kazakhstan’s huge potential as it seeks to privatise state-owned companies.

China food security

Opinion | How Asian food security is shifting away from the West

The platform offers a future where Asian nations are less dependent on maritime chokepoints and Western-aligned supply chains.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong media groups sign Kazakhstan deals to deepen journalism, business ties

SCMP’s pact with Kazakhstan’s financial hub will foster investment, innovation and cross-border partnerships, publisher Tammy Tam says.

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) in Kazakhstan. Photo: AIFC
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to relaunch direct flights to Kazakhstan in first quarter of 2027

City leader John Lee vows to push for 30-day visa-free access to Central Asian country, while Cathay says it will offer three flights per week.

Chief Executive John Lee (third right) and other officials attend a meeting with Baiterek National Investment Holding in Astana. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Make use of Hong Kong’s advantages, John Lee urges Kazakhstan leaders, companies

Lee meets President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as delegation seals wide range of partnership deals on first day of Central Asia trip.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s John Lee on Central Asia mission to explore new markets, expand ties

Dozens of agreements are expected to be signed during delegation’s five-day trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

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Hong Kong economy

More Hong Kong tourists drawn to ‘mysterious’ Central Asia, travel agencies say

Tour operators are linking up with mainland Chinese who have settled in region, giving city residents new ways to explore unconventional destinations.

Crowds at the Registan public square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Photo: Getty Images
Banking & finance

Editorial | HKEX helping Hong Kong be a superconnector

As it marks 40 years as a unified exchange, the bourse’s next venture is branching out to partner with exchanges in the Gulf and Central Asia.

US, Israel war on Iran

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

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China trade

China-led SCO bloc looks to fast-track plan for new bank, rival Western lenders

Member states seek more financial autonomy and localised credit by advancing an effort to fund regional growth using their national currencies, not the US dollar.

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Flags wave outside the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on September 1. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

China’s expanding footprint in Central Asia

From addressing critical water security fears to driving a regional green tech revolution, Beijing is cementing its role as an indispensable partner to Central Asia. This three-part series investigates China’s expanding influence in the region amid global geopolitical uncertainty, exploring how new investments and diplomatic ties are reshaping the Central Asian landscape.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) arrives in Astana for the second China-Central Asia Summit in June 2025. He was welcomed at the airport by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong well placed to help Central Asia grow yuan trade, leading banker says

Stephen Chan says city is natural choice for Central Asian countries looking to expand renminbi usage in trade and investment.

Science

How Chinese green tech and investment are reshaping the Central Asian landscape

As the belt and road pivots towards clean energy, Kazakhstan and its neighbours are emerging as top partners for Beijing-backed projects.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong eyes Central Asian listings as HKEX CEO pitches city’s deep liquidity

Bonnie Chan says city seeks closer collaboration with region ahead of city leader’s high-level trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in early June.

Astana, Kazakhstan. A high-level delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee will head to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in early June. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

As Iran war stokes water security fears, Central Asia could turn to China

Nations facing chronic water shortages might look to Chinese investment to upgrade their creaking Soviet-era infrastructure, observers say.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong firm that makes medical implants to expand into Central Asia

Koln 3D CEO Edmond Yau says company will expand research in Kazakhstan, explore Uzbekistan and consider setting up factory in the region.

Hong Kong economy

China Mobile plans fresh Central Asia link to Hong Kong submarine cable network

Telecoms giant’s announcement comes ahead of Hong Kong leader John Lee’s first official visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in early June.

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