Hong Kong's strategic focus on Central Asia aims to strengthen ties with China and enhance its role as a professional services hub for Belt and Road countries. Analysts suggest Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are key targets.

Hong Kong’s push into Central Asia aims to strengthen links between mainland China and the region while reinforcing the city’s role as a professional services hub for belt and road countries, although economic gains may take time, analysts have said. They added that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, given their strategic positions, were logical destinations for Hong Kong to pursue business opportunities amid geopolitical uncertainty and the war in the Middle East. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu...