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

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

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Ambrose LiPublished: 8:39pm, 6 May 2026Updated: 9:37pm, 6 May 2026

The leaders of Hong Kong and Uzbekistan met on Wednesday to strengthen trade ties, as China and the Central Asian country signed 15 bilateral agreements covering areas such as infrastructure, healthcare and metal production.

At a meeting at Government House with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged to expand Hong Kong’s presence in belt and road markets and strengthen cooperation.

Speaking later at a forum and exhibition with the Uzbek business and government delegation, Lee said Aripov’s presence “spoke volumes” about the strength of ties between Uzbekistan and China.

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“I am confident that [Wednesday’s] Uzbekistan-China (Hong Kong) Economic Forum will set our two economies, and our two peoples, together on a far-reaching and mutually rewarding partnership,” Lee said.

He said ties between governments were growing stronger and encouraged Uzbek businesses to set up regional offices, list on the stock exchange and make use of professional services in Hong Kong.

AdvertisementLee also pointed to government scholarships offered specifically to students from countries in the Belt and Road Initiative, including Uzbekistan, to study at the city’s post-secondary institutions, helping to further promote people-to-people ties.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x