CE Leads Hong Kong Delegation to Strengthen Business Ties with Kazakhstan During the Visit

CE leads delegation to continue visit to Kazakhstan

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 2) led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to continue its visit programme to Kazakhstan. He met with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Olzhas Bektenov, visited various enterprises, and witnessed the achievement of multiple outcomes among government departments, enterprises and organisations of Hong Kong, the Mainland and Kazakhstan.

In the morning, Mr Lee visited Baiterek National Investment Holding, a national investment holding company of Kazakhstan, and met with the Chairman of the Board, Mr Rustam Timurovich Karagoishin. The company is a key financial operator of Kazakhstan's Government, with subsidiaries covering development bank, an entrepreneurship development fund, export insurance and housing, for promoting the sustainable growth of Kazakhstan's economy. He encouraged the company to leverage Hong Kong's well-established financial system and professional services to strengthen co-operation in areas such as infrastructure financing, bonds, and green finance. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is pushing ahead at full speed with the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM), which covers multiple innovation and technology (I&T) and infrastructure projects, and serves as a new engine for Hong Kong's future development. He welcomed the company to explore the development potential of the NM and to jointly create new business opportunities.

Afterwards, Mr Lee met with Mr Bektenov to exchange views on strengthening bilateral co-operation. He noted that at the beginning of this year, Hong Kong was the world's 10th-largest net investor in Kazakhstan, and Asia's fourth-largest, reflecting close economic and trade ties between the two places. Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong is an international financial, shipping and trading centre, and ranks No. 1 globally in economic freedom, enabling it to build bridges and create opportunities for investors. Hong Kong has been leveraging its world-leading professional services to help enterprises go global. He expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Kazakhstan would strengthen hub-to-hub connectivity, with Kazakhstan serving as a hub for Hong Kong to connect with the Central Asian market, and Hong Kong serving as a hub for Kazakhstan to enter East and Southeast Asian markets, thereby establishing a hub-to-hub co-operation model for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

At noon, Mr Lee attended a business luncheon hosted by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, where he delivered a speech to local political and business representatives, introducing Hong Kong's business advantages and development opportunities.

In his speech at the luncheon, Mr Lee was pleased to announce that multiple outcomes had been achieved during this visit. Notably, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan have agreed to push ahead at full speed with exploratory discussions on a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, and discussions on an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, with the aim of concluding such agreements as soon as possible. In addition, a Hong Kong airline plans to launch direct flights to Almaty in the first quarter of 2027, further promoting economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong business delegation has so far concluded a total of 43 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering areas including aviation, finance and trade, I&T, the digital economy, and green development. Discussions are continuing, and more co-operation agreements are expected to be reached.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee visited Samruk-Kazyna, the national sovereign wealth fund of Kazakhstan, and met with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nurlan Zhakupov, to learn about the fund's diversified portfolio of assets and Kazakhstan's investment strategies across different sectors. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong, as a safe harbour, offers a stable and secure investment environment. Hong Kong, ranked first globally in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings in the first quarter of this year, is an ideal listing and financing destination for the assets under the fund. He encouraged projects under the fund to list in Hong Kong and to make good use of Hong Kong's capital markets for investment risk diversification.

Mr Lee subsequently met with the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev, to exchange views on further deepening bilateral trade co-operation. Hong Kong is the world's fifth-largest trading entity in the merchandise trade economy, firmly supports and upholds free trade and multilateralism, and continues to expand its global trade network. Kazakhstan is actively expanding its role as a regional trading hub, promoting digital commerce and modernising its markets. There is vast room for co-operation between the two places in areas such as trade, logistics and financial technology. Enterprises in Kazakhstan can use Hong Kong as a gateway for exploring the markets of the Mainland and Asia. Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder", working hand in hand with Kazakhstan to explore new opportunities in economic and trade co-operation.

Mr Lee will continue his visit to Kazakhstan tomorrow (June 3) before proceeding to Uzbekistan to continue his visit programme.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (centre), together with the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan (second left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Professor Frederick Ma (second right); the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Bonnie Chan (first left); and the Chairman of the Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited, Mr Li Xiaojun (first right), meets the media in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (fourth right), attends a meeting with Baiterek National Investment Holding and meets with the Chairman of the Board of Baiterek, Mr Rustam Timurovich Karagoishin (fourth left) in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attends a meeting with Baiterek National Investment Holding in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Photo shows (from first left) the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; Mr Lee; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Han Chunlin; and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the meeting with the company. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), attends a meeting with Baiterek National Investment Holding and meets with the Chairman of the Board of Baiterek, Mr Rustam Timurovich Karagoishin (left) in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (left), meets with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Olzhas Bektenov (right), in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time), to exchange views on strengthening co-operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (left), meets with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Olzhas Bektenov (right), in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time), to exchange views on strengthening co-operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (left), meets with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Olzhas Bektenov, in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time), to exchange views on strengthening co-operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (third left), meets with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Olzhas Bektenov (third right), in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time), to exchange views on strengthening co-operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev (left) to exchange views on further deepening bilateral trade co-operation, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (left), meets with the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev (right) to exchange views on further deepening bilateral trade co-operation, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, meets with the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev, to exchange views on further deepening bilateral trade co-operation, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (third left), meets with the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev (third right), to exchange views on further deepening bilateral trade co-operation, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, meets with the Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna, Mr Nurlan Zhakupov, in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Photo shows Mr Lee (second left) and Mr Nurlan Zhakupov (second right) witnessing the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding between InvestHK and Samruk-Kazyna. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (third right), meets with the Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna, Mr Nurlan Zhakupov (third left), in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (centre), meets with the Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna, Mr Nurlan Zhakupov, in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (left), meets with the Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna, Mr Nurlan Zhakupov (right), in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 2, Astana time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP investigates severe paediatric case of COVID-19 infection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 10) is investigating a severe paediatric case of COVID-19 infection, and appealed the public to observe good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses. The CHP reminds high-risk individuals to receive initial doses or booster doses of COVID-19 vaccination at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death.

Case details

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The case involves a 19-month-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath and stridor on June 4. He was taken to a private clinic for medical attention on the next day (June 5) and was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital, where he was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment. His respiratory specimen tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 complicated with croup. He remains hospitalised and is currently in critical condition.

The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that the boy had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had mostly stayed in Hong Kong throughout the incubation period. His three household contacts remain asymptomatic so far.

Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

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"Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Although COVID-19 has become a common respiratory infection in Hong Kong and around the world, certain high-risk individuals, especially young children, who have not received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and have not developed immunity through natural infection, face a higher risk of serious complications if they become infected. I would like to specifically remind the public that individuals who have not yet received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including children aged six months or above) should get vaccinated as soon as possible, while high-risk individuals (particularly the elderly and those with underlying comorbidities) should also receive booster dose at appropriate times for effective protection against COVID-19." said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

"According to the latest surveillance data, while the overall local activity of COVID-19 still remains at a relatively low level, slight increases have been recorded continually since early May. The COVID-19 activity levels fluctuate, with an upsurge period generally occurred approximately every six to nine months in recent years. Each upsurge is associated with changes in predominant circulating variants and a decline in community herd immunity. It has been nearly a year since the end of the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity in Hong Kong, and it cannot be ruled out that the overall COVID-19 activity will rise further in the coming one to two months," he added.

The shelf life of the vaccines provided under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (the Programme) is going to expire. A new batch of vaccines will arrive in Hong Kong successively in the fourth quarter of 2026. During this transition period, eligible individuals will not be able to receive free COVID-19 vaccines through the Programme for a short period. As such, those in need are advised to make appointments as early as possible. Existing vaccination services will continue until the following dates:

Individuals aged 6 months to 11 years: Vaccination services will be available until July 10, 2026.

Individuals aged 12 or above: Vaccination services will be available until September 5, 2026.

Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses as well as transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times and note the following:

Patients can wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses. Therefore, it is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even with mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;

High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;

Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;

Practise hand hygiene frequently, wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;

When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;

Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;

Maintain good indoor ventilation;

Avoid sharing personal items;

When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider to refrain from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and

Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP'swebsite.

Source: AI-found images