Hong Kong Forges New Opportunities with Kazakhstan and Central Asia
Hong Kong will extend visa-free stays to 30 days for three Central Asian markets as Cathay Pacific launches direct flights to Almaty next year.
- HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee is leading a delegation to Kazakhstan through June 6, where flagship carrier Cathay Pacific announced direct flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, launching in the first quarter of 2027.
- Lee's delegation of over 70 business representatives finalized 43 memoranda of understanding with Kazakh companies, capitalizing on Central Asia's strategic importance under the Belt and Road Initiative.
- Lee visited the Astana International Financial Centre and Astana Hub innovation park, with agreements signed between Hong Kong's Belt and Road Office and Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, plus deals between Cyberport and Astana Hub.
- Before leaving Kazakhstan today, Lee visited Nazarbayev University; new MOUs were reached with Hong Kong's Education University and Polytechnic University, building on last year's agreement with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
- Lee will continue the delegation to Uzbekistan for the mission's second leg, aiming to position Hong Kong as Central Asia's eastern gateway while both governments work toward extending visa-free stays to 30 days across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan this year.
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69 Articles
Hong Kong’s John Lee hails stronger ties with Central Asia, inc. direct flights to Kazakhstan and business link-ups
Chief Executive John Lee has announced that Hong Kong's links to Central Asia will be strengthened with expanded visa-free arrangements and direct flights to Kazakhstan.
Hong Kong to relaunch direct flights to Kazakhstan in first quarter of 2027
Hong Kong will relaunch direct flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of next year, the city’s leader has revealed as he vowed to push for visa-free access to the Central Asian country for up to 30 days. Confirming a South China Morning Post report, Cathay Pacific Airways on Tuesday said it would operate the services to Almaty – Kazakhstan’s commercial and cultural capital – three flights per week with an Airbus A330-300 widebody a…
Cathay Pacific announces first Central Asia route to Almaty
Cathay Pacific plans to launch direct flights between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Almaty International Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan starting in the first quarter of 2027. The service will operate three times a week using an Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft and will be the only direct link between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. The announcement was made on June 2, 2026, during a high-level delegation visit to Kazakhstan led by Hong Kong …
Cathay Pacific announced on 2 June 2026 its intention to launch a direct link between Hong Kong and Almaty, the economic capital of Kazakhstan, from the first quarter of 2027. This new route will mark the first foray of the Hong Kong company into Central Asia and is part of a broader strategy to strengthen connections with the countries of the Belt and Road Initiative. The company plans to operate three flights per week in Airbus A330-300, a lon…
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