John Lee led a business delegation, met the president and prime minister, and explored cooperation in logistics, technology, aviation and gold trading As reported by CCTV+, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, John Lee, led a business delegation to Uzbekistan from Wednesday to Friday. The delegation met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.

During the visit, the sides signed 35 memoranda of understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, finance, technology, aviation and other fields. Mirziyoyev expressed hope for further tapping the potential of economic partnerships between Uzbekistan’s regions and Hong Kong.

Saidov noted that Hong Kong, as an international financial and business hub, will play an important role in Uzbekistan’s economic modernisation and high tech cooperation projects.

John Lee said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both national and international advantages. It will continue to act as a “super connector” and a “super value adder”, deepening cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Lee stressed: “Uzbekistan is located at the heart of the Asia Europe corridor. Logistics development, railway expansion and joint cargo handling will become areas of very broad cooperation. Technology is the future. Therefore, IT cooperation will be a focus.”

He added that Uzbekistan’s rich gold reserves and Hong Kong’s efforts to become an international gold trading hub create opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

As a result of the visit, the Uzbek government agreed to establish a Consulate General in Hong Kong. The sides signed a draft air services agreement allowing airlines to develop routes. The mutual visa free period was extended to 30 days. The Hong Kong Palace Museum and the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan will partner to co host exhibitions.

Note: Hong Kong is an international financial centre entitled to independently conclude visa free and air services agreements under the “one country, two systems” framework.

Thirty five agreements in two days. Hong Kong and Uzbekistan have sharply accelerated their rapprochement. Logistics, aviation, technology, gold — the range is impressive. Hong Kong is becoming not just a gateway to China, but a bridge to Central Asia. A 30 day visa free regime, a consulate general, cultural exchanges — this is not just diplomacy. This is building infrastructure for the future. The question is not how many more countries will join this network. The question is how quickly Central Asia will become the world’s new economic crossroads. Hong Kong has already made its bet. So has Uzbekistan.