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Uzbekistan

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Uzbekistan. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tashkent

Head of State

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Head of Government

Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov

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

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.

30 minutes ago

Banking & finance

Editorial | HKEX helping Hong Kong be a superconnector

2 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

30 May 2026 - 8:08AMvideocam

Central Asia

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.

30 May 2026 - 8:07AM

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.

29 May 2026 - 8:57AM

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.

28 May 2026 - 8:30AM

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.

29 May 2026 - 1:54PMvideocam

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.

26 May 2026 - 10:00AM

Hong Kong economy

Private equity firm Templewater primed as Hong Kong deepens Central Asia ties

Chairman Cliff Zhang says company positioning itself as ‘superconnector’ to channel Middle East funds into emerging market amid volatility elsewhere.

26 May 2026 - 7:00AM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Central Asia pivot aims to boost belt and road role, analysts say

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are logical destinations for city to pursue business opportunities amid geopolitical uncertainty, analysts say.

21 May 2026 - 3:14PM

Baiterek Tower in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Hong Kong leader John Lee will lead a delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan early next month to explore new business opportunities in Central Asia. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Kazakhstan to deepen financial services cooperation with Hong Kong, consul says

Envoy Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov attributes growth of local Kazakhstani community to Belt and Road Scholarship programme launched in 2016.

20 May 2026 - 4:23PM

A light rail train on the first day of operations in Astana, Kazakhstan, in mid-May. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Central Asia trip will open new horizons of prosperity for Hong Kong

After years of promoting the city in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, it is sensible for city leaders to look to Central Asia.

20 May 2026 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong economy

John Lee to visit Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, taking largest-ever delegation overseas

Chief executive will lead a group of more than 60 businesspeople from Hong Kong and mainland China to Central Asian countries.

19 May 2026 - 9:46PM

My Life

Meet Anchalika Kijkanakorn, the Thai hotelier redefining luxury resorts through wellness and meaningful travel

The founder of Thailand’s Akaryn Hotel Group on the joys of solo travel and being ahead of the sustainability curve as a pioneer of boutique hospitality.

18 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Anchalika Kijkanakorn, founder of Thailand’s Akaryn Hotel Group. Photo: courtesy Anchalika Kijkanakorn

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | GDP uptick signals Hong Kong’s economy is on the right path

The city is betting on diversification – fully integrating with the mainland economy while expanding trade and business ties with others.

9 May 2026 - 6:45AM

A Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour in front of the Hong Kong skyline. The city posted its fastest quarterly economic growth in nearly five years. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong pledges deeper ties with Uzbekistan as China signs bilateral agreements

Hong Kong and Uzbekistan leaders meet to discuss enhanced cooperation with 15 China-Uzbek deals spanning energy, healthcare and infrastructure.

6 May 2026 - 9:37PM

Hong Kong economy

Uzbek PM Abdulla Aripov to join ‘milestone’ 200-member delegation in Hong Kong

Prime minister to meet city leader John Lee on Wednesday and join Uzbek officials and business leaders already exploring opportunities.

5 May 2026 - 12:06AM

China travel

Chinese travellers flock to Central Asia as flight bookings soar by 120%

Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative behind stronger economic ties and passenger traffic growth between the two regions, say industry experts.

26 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Ground staf and crew members for the inaugural flight of China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, pose for a group photo. A new direct passenger air route connecting the eastern Chinese city of Shanghai and the Uzbek capital of Tashkent was launched in March. Photo: Xinhua

China energy security

China turns to central Asia as US blockade in Hormuz chokes global energy flows

Chinese vice-premier to visit major gas field in Turkmenistan as Beijing aims to shore up energy security and diversify away from volatile maritime routes.

14 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Central Asia

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

The region’s strategic value as a corridor of resilience is becoming harder to ignore.

12 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Central Asia

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

5 Apr 2026 - 9:26PM

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (centre, back), along with representatives from Central Asian states, takes part in the Afghanistan-Central Asia Consultative Dialogue at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kabul on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Food and Drinks

Why horse meat and nomadic tea rituals anchor this new eatery in Central

For the Kazakh founders of Yurt, opening the new Central Asian restaurant was written in the stars.

10 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM

Central Asia

Trains through the Taliban: Central Asia’s plan to bypass Russia and Iran

The Soviet Union severed Central Asia’s ancient trade routes to the Indian subcontinent. The region’s modern-day leaders want them back.

2 Mar 2026 - 11:21AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

As Central Asia builds ‘smart cities’ with China, is it moving away from Russia?

Lack of Russian involvement in the mega-projects is seen as part of a broader structural shift as the region moves ‘closer to the world’.

11 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Ilia Malinin, figure skating superstar and Winter Olympic gold favourite

Both parents of the record-breaking, two-time World Champion American figure skater represented Uzbekistan in the Winter Olympics.

6 Feb 2026 - 6:00AM

At 21, figure skater Ilia Malinin of the US is already a superstar of the rink. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

The foreigners who fought for Russia, now stuck in POW limbo in Ukraine

Captured foreigners describe journeys from joining the Russian side to a Ukrainian jail with no way home.

30 Jan 2026 - 4:32PM

Prisoners of war at a detention centre in western Ukraine. Photo: AFP

Turkey

Fury in Turkey after woman’s headless body found in rubbish bin

Police intercept male suspects as women’s rights groups express outrage at the latest brutal killing.

26 Jan 2026 - 2:45PM

Infrastructure

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

5 Jan 2026 - 5:32PMvideocam

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Uzbekistan

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | HKEX helping Hong Kong be a superconnector

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

China’s expanding footprint in Central Asia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Private equity firm Templewater primed as Hong Kong deepens Central Asia ties

Chairman Cliff Zhang says company positioning itself as ‘superconnector’ to channel Middle East funds into emerging market amid volatility elsewhere.

Hong Kong’s Central Asia pivot aims to boost belt and road role, analysts say

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are logical destinations for city to pursue business opportunities amid geopolitical uncertainty, analysts say.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Kazakhstan to deepen financial services cooperation with Hong Kong, consul says

Envoy Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov attributes growth of local Kazakhstani community to Belt and Road Scholarship programme launched in 2016.

Editorial | Central Asia trip will open new horizons of prosperity for Hong Kong

After years of promoting the city in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, it is sensible for city leaders to look to Central Asia.

John Lee to visit Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, taking largest-ever delegation overseas

Chief executive will lead a group of more than 60 businesspeople from Hong Kong and mainland China to Central Asian countries.

Meet Anchalika Kijkanakorn, the Thai hotelier redefining luxury resorts through wellness and meaningful travel

The founder of Thailand’s Akaryn Hotel Group on the joys of solo travel and being ahead of the sustainability curve as a pioneer of boutique hospitality.

Editorial | GDP uptick signals Hong Kong’s economy is on the right path

The city is betting on diversification – fully integrating with the mainland economy while expanding trade and business ties with others.

Hong Kong pledges deeper ties with Uzbekistan as China signs bilateral agreements

Hong Kong and Uzbekistan leaders meet to discuss enhanced cooperation with 15 China-Uzbek deals spanning energy, healthcare and infrastructure.

Uzbek PM Abdulla Aripov to join ‘milestone’ 200-member delegation in Hong Kong

Prime minister to meet city leader John Lee on Wednesday and join Uzbek officials and business leaders already exploring opportunities.

Chinese travellers flock to Central Asia as flight bookings soar by 120%

Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative behind stronger economic ties and passenger traffic growth between the two regions, say industry experts.

China turns to central Asia as US blockade in Hormuz chokes global energy flows

Chinese vice-premier to visit major gas field in Turkmenistan as Beijing aims to shore up energy security and diversify away from volatile maritime routes.

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

The region’s strategic value as a corridor of resilience is becoming harder to ignore.

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

Why horse meat and nomadic tea rituals anchor this new eatery in Central

For the Kazakh founders of Yurt, opening the new Central Asian restaurant was written in the stars.

Trains through the Taliban: Central Asia’s plan to bypass Russia and Iran

The Soviet Union severed Central Asia’s ancient trade routes to the Indian subcontinent. The region’s modern-day leaders want them back.

As Central Asia builds ‘smart cities’ with China, is it moving away from Russia?

Lack of Russian involvement in the mega-projects is seen as part of a broader structural shift as the region moves ‘closer to the world’.

Meet Ilia Malinin, figure skating superstar and Winter Olympic gold favourite

Both parents of the record-breaking, two-time World Champion American figure skater represented Uzbekistan in the Winter Olympics.

The foreigners who fought for Russia, now stuck in POW limbo in Ukraine

Captured foreigners describe journeys from joining the Russian side to a Ukrainian jail with no way home.

Fury in Turkey after woman’s headless body found in rubbish bin

Police intercept male suspects as women’s rights groups express outrage at the latest brutal killing.

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

Editorial | HKEX helping Hong Kong be a superconnector

Exclusive | Kazakhstan to deepen financial services cooperation with Hong Kong, consul says