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Matthew Cheng

The South China Morning Post will host its China Conference in Kazakhstan’s capital in September, following a high-level Hong Kong delegation led by the city’s leader to Central Asia last month, marking the first such event organised by a local media outlet in the region.
Announcing the move at the SCMP China Conference 2026 on Tuesday, publisher Tammy Tam said the event in Astana would enable participants to explore new opportunities while gaining first-hand experience of the dynamism in the fast-growing region.
The global series convenes renowned experts and real insiders to explore China’s macro trends and emerging opportunities, and serves as a platform for global business leaders, investors and innovators to engage with and grasp the pulse of China.
The global series also serves as a platform for global business leaders, investors and innovators to better understand China’s development trajectory.
“Its footprint has expanded to the Greater Bay Area, Southeast Asia, the United States, and will reach Central Asia later this year,” Tam said.
During Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s visit in June, Hong Kong signed 96 agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, worth US$1.65 billion.
They included two partnerships between the SCMP and Astana International Financial Centre Authority (AIFC) and Astana Hub, Kazakhstan’s innovation centre.
The memorandum of understanding between the SCMP and AIFC aims to promote business connections across Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and mainland China.

The agreement with Astana Hub seeks to accelerate the growth of start-up ecosystems across Central Asia, Hong Kong, and the mainland by fast-tracking development through training programmes and launch platforms.
Tuesday’s China Conference was themed “Intelligence at Scale: Hong Kong’s AI-Powered Future” and was primarily sponsored by Manulife.
Lee also delivered a keynote speech to about 500 attendees at the event.
Tam noted that China’s 15th five-year plan, which guides the nation’s development from 2026 to 2030, has positioned Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub, with artificial intelligence (AI) as a core pillar of the city’s development.
She described the current period as the “perfect time” to discuss how Hong Kong could boost its AI prowess by capitalising on national development and the momentum in the Greater Bay Area.
Steve Finch, president and CEO of Manulife Asia, said at the conference that Hong Kong served as an irreplaceable “superconnector” and gateway to the mainland’s advanced AI and technology ecosystem.
He also lauded the city’s enduring strength in financial services, its role as a thriving AI incubator and its position within the Greater Bay Area, which provides a unique environment for the convergence of AI, wealth and health.


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SCMP’s China Conference to debut in Astana this September

SCMP publisher Tammy Tam says the event in Astana will enable participants to explore new opportunities. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Steve Finch, president and CEO of Manulife Asia, gives a keynote address at the SCMP China Conference 2026. Photo: Handout

The China Conference will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital. Photo: Getty Images

SCMP publisher Tammy Tam (second left), Chief Executive John Lee (fifth from right) at a business luncheon in Astana, Kazakhstan. Photo: ISD

Hong Kong signs 96 agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan worth US$1.65 billion

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks to the media in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Thursday. Photo: Jeffie Lam

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee meets Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on Thursday. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong media groups sign Kazakhstan deals to deepen journalism, business ties

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) in Kazakhstan. Photo: AIFC

Khabar Agency chairman Kemelbek Oishybayev flanked by Crystal Cheung and Tammy Tam. Hong Kong media groups say the visit to Kazakhstan will foster deeper collaboration with Central Asia. Photo: Jeffie Lam.

Chief Executive John Lee (fifth right) and SCMP publisher Tammy Tam (second left) attended a business luncheon in Astana, where MOUs were signed in the presence of Serik Zhumangarin, the deputy prime minister and minister of national economy in Kazakhstan (sixth right). Photo: ISD

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Esteemed China Conference series in Kazakh capital will highlight opportunities in fast-growing Central Asia


Esteemed China Conference series in Kazakh capital will highlight opportunities in fast-growing Central Asia.


SCMP’s China Conference to debut in Astana this September

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Esteemed China Conference series in Kazakh capital will highlight opportunities in fast-growing Central Asia

Esteemed China Conference series in Kazakh capital will highlight opportunities in fast-growing Central Asia