The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government jointly organized the Collaborate2Win campaign from 24 to 28 August, aiming to showcase Hong Kong’s professional services in Central Asia. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam led a high-level delegation to Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, building on the Chief Executive’s visit to the region in June. The delegation included representatives from Hong Kong’s legal, financial, and trade sectors, as well as legal professionals from Xinjiang.
The campaign featured site visits, business exchanges, and thematic seminars to highlight Hong Kong’s strengths as an international financial and legal hub. A key event, the Collaborate2Win seminar, was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 26 August, focusing on Hong Kong’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative and its common law advantages. The seminar attracted over 160 participants, including government officials and industry leaders from Kazakhstan and China.
Strengthening Hong Kong-Central Asia ties
In his opening remarks, Paul Lam emphasized Hong Kong’s status as a leading common law jurisdiction and its efforts to maintain its position as an international financial centre. He noted that Hong Kong could be an indispensable partner for Kazakhstan, leveraging its unique advantages. HKTDC Associate Executive Director Anna Cheung highlighted the council’s commitment to promoting global trade and investment, and the importance of Kazakhstan as a gateway to Central Asia. She also mentioned the upcoming 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, scheduled for 9-10 September, which will focus on Central Asian markets.
The delegation met with various government authorities and industry organizations during the visit. In Xinjiang, they engaged with local officials, including Chen Xiaojiang, Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, and Liu Jiansheng, Party Secretary of the Department of Justice. In Kazakhstan, the delegation visited the Shaanxi Chamber of Commerce and exchanged views with Mainland enterprises and law firms operating in the country, gaining insights into the local business environment.
Exploring opportunities in Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan, the delegation met with Chinese Ambassador Yu Jun, Deputy Ministers Umid Abidhadjaev and Ilzat Kasimov, and representatives from the China Enterprise Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre. Discussions focused on strengthening economic and trade ties, as well as cooperation in professional services, cross-border investment, and legal services. The delegation also visited Tashkent State University of Law and the Islamic Civilization Center to learn about legal talent development and cultural preservation.
The Collaborate2Win campaign underscores Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. By promoting its professional services in Central Asia, Hong Kong aims to facilitate closer economic cooperation and open new avenues for investment and trade in the region.
