Advertisement
Advertisement
Central Asia
TOPIC
 / location

Central Asia

Related Topics:
Central Asia
Central Asia
News from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Two major flood events have occurred along the margins of the Taklamakan Desert in northwestern China since the beginning of June. Photo: CCTV
Science

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

Unprecedented downpours prompt warning that links and systems adapted to an arid past may struggle to cope with a wetter future.

videocam
Science

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

videocam
6
Malaysia

Malaysia’s nationwide diesel subsidy gets citizens all pumped up

videocam
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.

Hong Kong overtook Switzerland as the world’s largest cross-border wealth hub last year, with assets of US$2.95 trillion, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group. Photo: May Tse
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.

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

A man uses smartphones in Kabul on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
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.

videocam
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.

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.

The Astana International Financial Centre is a special zine in Kazakhstan that uses common lew. Photo: AIFC
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.

videocam
City leader John Lee says the complex geopolitical situation will only highlight Hong Kong’s clear edge as a “safe, stable and secure society” for investors. Photo: Dickson Lee
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.

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.

videocam
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.

Hong Kong is the world’s largest offshore renminbi liquidity hub. Photo: Photo: AFP
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.

videocam
38
Illustration: Brian Wang
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.

16
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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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 Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu visits the Astana Hub to learn about the latest Kazakh developments in artificial intelligence on June 1, in Kazakhstan. Photo: ISD
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.

videocam
19
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.

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.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after casting his ballot. Photo: AFP
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.

Airport Authority chairman Fred Lam says passenger traffic at Hong Kong airport could reach 70 million this year, recovering to nearly pre-pandemic levels. Photo: Dickson Lee
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.

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.

videocam
9
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 Chief Executive John Lee speaks to the media in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Thursday. Photo: Jeffie Lam
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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement