Kazakhstan wants to attract more Chinese capital. At China Conference: Central Asia 2026 in Astana, participants discussed how to connect investors from Hong Kong and mainland China with projects in mining, energy, digital infrastructure and other sectors across the region, DKNews.kz reports.
The Astana International Financial Centre’s press service reported the discussions following the conference organised by the South China Morning Post with AIFC support. Held on September 7 at Hilton Astana, the event brought together government officials, business leaders, investors and technology-sector representatives.
Astana and Hong Kong already have a dual-listing precedent
Cooperation between Astana International Exchange (AIX) and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) was a central topic. Links between the two exchanges give companies a route to investors in different markets.
There is already a practical example. In August 2025, mining company Jiaxin International Resources Investment Limited conducted a simultaneous share offering in Hong Kong and Astana. According to AIX, it was Central Asia’s first IPO denominated in Chinese yuan.
Kazakhstan’s next objective is to make broader use of such financing mechanisms. AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov linked that ambition to increased investment flows and access to the Chinese market for Kazakh businesses.
“China is one of Kazakhstan’s key strategic partners, and we see significant potential to deepen financial and investment ties. Our task is to translate this strong partnership into larger bilateral capital flows, strengthen connections between our markets and create concrete investment opportunities. China Conference: Central Asia has become an important platform bringing together government representatives, investors and market leaders to advance practical cooperation. Through the AIFC and Astana International Exchange, we seek to connect Chinese capital and expertise with investment opportunities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, while opening new routes for Kazakh businesses to enter the Chinese market,” said Renat Bekturov.
China’s trade with Central Asia has exceeded $100 billion
The investment discussions come as regional trade expands. According to figures published on the Chinese government’s website, trade in goods between China and the five Central Asian countries reached $106.3 billion in 2025, an increase of 12%.
That figure covers the entire region. For Kazakhstan, the conference addressed a more specific task: using established trading relationships to support financing for businesses, transport links and technological upgrades.
Cheng Kefan, Chargé d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China in Kazakhstan, emphasised the region’s importance to Beijing.
“Central Asia lies at the very heart of the Eurasian continent. For China, Central Asia is a region of hope. China respects the sovereignty and independence of Central Asian countries, and this provides the most reliable guarantee for our international cooperation,” said Cheng Kefan.
Participants see Hong Kong as an intermediary connecting Central Asian projects with Chinese businesses and international investors. Tammy Tam, publisher of the South China Morning Post, described Kazakhstan’s appeal in those terms.
“Hong Kong sees Central Asia, and Kazakhstan in particular, as an exceptionally promising market. As an indispensable superconnector directly linking global business with mainland China, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to connect Central Asia’s growing potential with global capital and international influence,” said Tammy Tam.
Representatives of more than 100 companies gathered in Astana
According to the SCMP publisher, the conference brought together representatives of more than 100 companies. Participants came from Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, mainland Chinese provinces and ASEAN countries.
“Today, we are putting that connectivity into practice here in this room. The conference has brought together delegates, industry leaders and representatives of more than 100 companies from Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, various provinces of mainland China and ASEAN countries, as well as guests from other regions of the world,” Tammy Tam said.
This was the South China Morning Post’s first flagship conference in Central Asia. According to the organisers, SCMP also became the first Hong Kong media organisation to hold a flagship conference of this scale in Kazakhstan.
“At the South China Morning Post, we take pride in our role as a trusted and authoritative source of information. We have brought our vision directly to Astana to bring together leaders from different industries, facilitate high-level cross-border dialogue and create conditions for meaningful transformation and growth in the macroeconomy, financial markets and regional infrastructure,” Tammy Tam added.
Mining AI and cloud infrastructure enter the investment discussion
A separate part of the programme focused on critical minerals. Participants examined the use of artificial intelligence and green investment in mining, alongside technological modernisation in the mining and energy sectors.
The digital agenda covered cloud technology, cybersecurity and financial technology along the Digital Silk Road. These areas connect demand for capital with operational needs, including upgrading production, processing data and developing financial services.
The press release did not disclose the value of any new investment agreements in these sectors. It described discussions of projects and cooperation mechanisms.
A medical seminar is scheduled for October 5
One concrete initiative announced at the conference was the Global Medical Frontiers seminar at Nazarbayev University. CY Leung, former Chief Executive of Hong Kong and founding chairman of GX Foundation, announced the preparations in a video address.
“I am pleased to announce that GX Foundation — an international non-governmental organisation working under the Belt and Road Initiative, of which I am the founding chairman — will jointly hold the Global Medical Frontiers seminar with the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Nazarbayev University. It will cover clinical technologies, healthcare management and traditional medicine, issues relating to the living environment and natural disasters, medical education and training for humanitarian work. The seminar will take place on October 5 at Nazarbayev University,” said CY Leung.
He also linked the conference to Kazakhstan’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.
“Central Asia is a key region of the Belt and Road Initiative, and Kazakhstan is one of its key countries. I thank the South China Morning Post for holding China Conference in Astana. I am confident that the conference will help identify new opportunities to expand economic and other forms of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, including through Hong Kong in its role as a superconnector,” CY Leung said.
We previously reported on the 46 agreements accompanying the expansion of Kazakhstan–Hong Kong cooperation in June.
