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Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Kazakhstan. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Astana
Head of State
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Head of Government
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov
The Nur-Astana Mosque is the third-largest mosque in Central Asia. Photo: AFP
Central Asia

Reporter’s notebook: Kazakhstan trip shows promise, limits of Central Asia ties

It will soon be possible to fly direct from Hong Kong to Almaty, but in the meantime a little flexibility is required.

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Asia travel

Ode to the horse: 5,000 years of human-equine connection on display in new Kazakh museum

Banking & finance

How will Hong Kong’s new 5-year plan court global capital?

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong finance chief urges Cathay to keep fares attractive, add routes

Cathay Pacific targets 150 new aircraft and 150 global destinations over next decade, chairman Guy Bradley says.

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An aeroplane of Cathay Pacific takes off at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Elson Li
Financial Secretary Paul Chan (centre), flanked by Cathay Group chairman Guy Bradley (right) and CEO Ronald Lam (left), raises a toast alongside other political and business heavyweights at the event. Photo: Handout
China trade

Kazakhstan to launch QR payments with China, expanding yuan’s reach in retail

Planned launch follows existing cooperation between super apps Alipay and Kaspi.kz, letting travellers use home-country app at certain merchants without exchanging cash.

Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: a guqin revival, odes to Central Asia and a peek into Puyi’s last days as emperor

How Hong Kong connoisseurs are reviving China’s ancient seven-string zither, a look around the Bukhara Biennial, a trip to a Kazakhstan horse museum and the last months of imperial rule at the Forbidden City.

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Singapore

As Singapore weighs joining China-led AI body, does it risk US retaliation?

Joining the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation gives Singapore influence, but may affect its Pax Silica role, analysts say.

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People walk along the promenade next to Marina Bay in Singapore on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Kazakhstani firms eyeing Hong Kong, mainland China urged to take long-term view

Managing director of Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund also says rail operator KTZ aims to list in Hong Kong by end of year.

Yuan

Investment surge in Central Asia drives calls for Chinese yuan use

Use of the currency can cut risks and costs for infrastructure firms active in the mineral-rich region, according to speakers on an investment panel.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong, Kazakhstan sign MOU on transport lab, discuss low-altitude economy

Kazakh vice-minister Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev says his country envisions connecting mainland tech companies with Hong Kong financial tools.

Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, Kazakhstan’s vice-minister of artificial intelligence and digital development, says he has discussed the low-altitude economy with Hong Kong counterparts. Photo: Karma Lo
Belt and Road 2026

Why Central Asia is turning to China for its renewable energy revolution

The Belt and Road Initiative, with its massive investments in wind, solar and nuclear power, is quietly reshaping the region’s energy future.

For now, Central Asia relies heavily on natural gas but increasingly large sums are being spent on developing sources of clean energy. Photo: AP
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | For Hong Kong and Central Asia, the real work lies ahead

Building on the success of Chief Executive John Lee’s June trip, both sides must now build a durable commercial architecture.

Belt and Road 2026

How Hong Kong can capitalise on Kazakh asset sales

The city’s deep capital markets and SOE listing expertise offer Central Asia’s largest economy a proven pipeline to global investors.

Belt and Road 2026

Bypassing Russia: inside China’s most audacious railway project in Central Asia

The challenging Belt and Road Initiative project offers a vital Middle Corridor route – linking China to Europe while bypassing Russia.

Projects like the cross-Mekong River bridge in Luang Prabang on the China-Laos Railway show China’s capacity to take on and successfully complete significant engineering works – something very much called for on the CKU line. Photo: Xinhua
Central Asia

China rallies Central Asian police chiefs on terrorism threats, energy and trade

Security ministers from five nations back Beijing initiative targeting extremism, border order and telecoms fraud.

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Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong (third from right) attends the China-Central Asia ministerial conference on public security and internal affairs in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong a boon to Kazakhstan’s advanced manufacturing ambitions: expert

Sabr Yessimbekov says some projects in MOUs signed between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong-mainland China delegation in June already under way.

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong emerges as leading Asian study destination for Kazakhstani students

Hong Kong universities attracting growing number of students from Central Asian country, with enrolment up by 408 per cent in eight years.

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Hong Kong

First Hong Kong-Kazakhstan listing paves way for mining peers: official

Jiaxin’s ‘proof of concept’ should lead to more such listings, governor of Kazakhstan’s Astana International Financial Centre says.

A view of Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 29, 2026. Photo: Photothek via Getty Images
Education in Hong Kong

Kazakhstan aims to become education hub, but experts say jobs must match skills

Experts on panel at SCMP’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026 say collaboration with Hong Kong and mainland universities is in the pipeline.

Hong Kong economy

Kazakhstan, Hong Kong ‘can build biotech unicorns by linking talent and capital’

Top academic tells SCMP event there’s real opportunity to connect capital, ideas and state support across the two regions.

Hong Kong economy

How can Hong Kong, Central Asia build momentum on growing ties, go beyond MOUs?

Tourism, professional services, mining and digital infrastructure prospects discussed at SCMP’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026.

Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. Photo: Getty Images
Education in Hong Kong

SCMP partners with top Kazakh university to deepen Hong Kong’s Central Asia ties

Memorandum of understanding with Nazarbayev University signed ahead of SCMP’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026 in Astana.

SCMP publisher Tammy Tam (left) and Professor Waqar Ahmad hold the signed MOU in Astana. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong a ‘trusted partner’ to drive Central Asia growth, city leader says

Central Asia offers immense potential for global businesses, John Lee reveals as SCMP’s China Conference debuts in Astana.

China food security

A potential food crisis threatens the world, but impact on China may be limited

El Nino fears and disruptions to Ukraine’s grain exports are driving up global crop prices, but China’s robust supplies temper the impact.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to propel belt and road market expansion, finance chief says

Paul Chan’s pledge comes ahead of 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong this week.

Hong Kong will host 11th Belt and Road Summit this week, an annual event that promotes business among participating nations. Photo: Kit Lai
Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | 3 key belt and road connectivities that Hong Kong drives

Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Office is focusing on strengthening links related to infrastructure, rules and standards, and people-to-people connections.

Visitors take pictures with 2-metre-tall promoters at Kazakhstan booth at Hong Kong’s International Travel Expo on June 11. The Belt and Road Office has concluded memorandums with key institutions in Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, laying solid groundwork for collaboration. Photo: Nora Tam
SCO

SCO takes landmark stand on nuclear security as Iran comes under renewed attack

The bloc underscores members’ rights to peaceful nuclear development in broader pushback at Western powers, analyst says.

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Singapore

Can Singapore be the ‘natural choice’ to bridge Asean and Central Asia?

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore aims to explore ways to boost cooperation between both regions in various sectors.

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