DSJ: Highlighting Hong Kong's Role in Empowering Chinese Enterprises Entering Kazakhstan at the Forum Organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association

Speech by DSJ at forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan"

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7):

Dr Phyllis Kwong (President of the Asia Pacific Law Association), Consul General Mr Dosmanbetov (Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong, Mr Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov), (Deputy Secretary-General of the China Overseas Development Association, Ms Liu Jianqing), distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join today's forum organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association.

In June, I had the privilege of joining a highly fruitful delegation led by the Chief Executive to Kazakhstan in my capacity as the Deputy Secretary for Justice as well as the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global.

That visit reinforced a clear message: Hong Kong is a natural and indispensable partner not only for Kazakhstan's development, but also for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to expand into Kazakhstan and beyond. I would like to share some of my observations.

Opportunities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, sits at the strategic crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its economy momentum is remarkable - with growth of 6.5 per cent in 2025 and projected to hold steady at 4.8 per cent in 2026. As a global heavyweight in energy fuels and critical minerals, and a vital node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan is not just opening its markets, but undergoing profound economic transformation.

Its young and tech-savvy population is driving unprecedented demand for digital services, modern infrastructure, and sophisticated financial products. This creates a fertile ground for partnership.

I am certain that the Consul General will share more on Kazakhstan's latest development in a minute.

Hong Kong's Unique "Hub-to-Hub" Role

Let me now focus on how Hong Kong serves as the ideal "hub" to connect with Kazakhstan's growing "hub" - a "hub-to-hub" collaboration as remarked by the Chief Executive in our recent visit.

Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is more than a gateway. We are the active catalyst.

Hong Kong as the Premier Financial Hub

First, let's consider our financial market. In the first quarter of 2026, our stock market ranked first globally in IPO (initial public offering) funds raised. This liquidity is matched by a deep and robust bond market, evidenced by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan's issuance of Renminbi "dim sum" bonds in Hong Kong.

We serve as a deal-making bridge connecting Kazakh capital with high-growth Mainland sectors. This is essential for pre-IPO financing through which Chinese businesses' capital base would be diversified while enriching Kazakh financial industry's investment portfolio.

On capital market listings, we facilitate dual access. Last year, we welcomed the first simultaneous dual listing on the Hong Kong and Astana exchanges of a Mainland mining firm. By tapping into investor bases simultaneously, the company was able to raise more funds than it could have through a single listing.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's national railway company wholly-owned by its sovereign wealth fund has recently submitted its listing application to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This showcases how Hong Kong also acts as the premier gateway for Kazakh state-owned enterprises seeking international expansion and funding.

The Common Law Advantage

Behind every successful transaction lies a solid legal foundation. The Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan has established a special jurisdiction operating under common law principles. This mutual legal grounding in common law gives Hong Kong a distinctive edge in safeguarding cross-border transactions with predictability.

First, on investment infrastructure. Complex and multi-jurisdictional Belt and Road projects require sophisticated legal engineering with expertise in cross-border regulatory landscape. Hong Kong lawyers, with rich experience and a wide network, navigate the intersection of common law, international regulations, and Chinese corporate governance to ensure the projects' sustainability.

Second, on dispute resolution. Hong Kong offers a regulatory framework that delivers the certainty and effectiveness for cross-border dispute resolution. We have established a comprehensive mutual legal assistance network with the Chinese Mainland, enabling distinctive advantages no other jurisdiction could match, including in mutual enforcement of civil and commercial judgments and interim measures for arbitral proceedings.

Our Judiciary is setting up the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC), a specialist division of the High Court, to adjudicate complex, high-value international and cross-border commercial disputes. The HKICC, together with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, will provide businesses with a comprehensive range of dispute resolution options.

Our Initiatives

Now that you have a clearer picture of how Hong Kong's world-leading financial market with quality professional services could assist businesses to seize Kazakh opportunities. The next question is: how to find your suitable advisors?

To strengthen the connection between enterprises and Hong Kong's professional services, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched several new initiatives.

We have been leading mission trips to the Chinese Mainland and beyond, directly linking Hong Kong's legal and other professionals with enterprises seeking to go global. These are not just networking events but matchmaking platforms for concrete business needs.

This April, the DoJ published the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting "Go Global", detailing their practice areas, such as capital markets, taxation, etc, and the industries they have assisted.

We have also compiled two collections of success stories, showcasing the track record of Hong Kong's legal, accounting, financial and business consultancy services.

With these tools, businesses could appreciate in practical terms the value our professional services could create, backing their full business cycle.

Ladies and gentlemen, the distinctive advantages of Hong Kong's financial and legal infrastructures position us to play a pivotal role in supporting closer collaboration with Kazakhstan. I look forward to working together with you to build better partnerships among Chinese Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. I wish today's event a huge success. Thank you very much.

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, speaks at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

UK's "Fantastic Fairy Tales" blends live music with animation to present children's stories

The International Arts Carnival (IAC), a summer arts festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will present a music-and-film programme, "Fantastic Fairy Tales," from August 14 to 16. Produced by Carrot Productions from the United Kingdom, the programme features original scores and is performed live by an ensemble. Paired with actors' performances and animated screenings, it offers a heartwarming concert-and-screening experience.

The programme is divided into two parts. In the first half, performers present "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with live music. It vividly depicts scenes from the story through melodies, such as the tiptoeing of the mischievous girl, the creak and crack of baby bear's broken chair, and the thundering footsteps of the three bears returning home. In the second half, audiences will enjoy an animated adaptation of "The Bear and the Piano", the award-winning picture book by British illustrator David Litchfield. Together, audiences will follow the journey of a gifted young bear pianist as he ventures into the big city to shine on stage.

Combining live music, storytelling and animation, the programme also features interactive elements, inviting children to explore how different musical instruments can tell stories, creating a delightful artistic treat for families.

"Fantastic Fairy Tales" will be held at 7.30pm on August 14; 11am, 3pm and 7.30pm on August 15; and 11am and 3pm on August 16 at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre. Tickets priced at $280 and $340 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".

The programme will be performed in English. Lights will be dimmed in the theatre during the performance. The performances at 11am and 3pm on August 15 are relaxed performances. Lighting and sound will be adjusted to a softer level. The house rules will also be relaxed, allowing audience members to make sounds and freely enter or exit the theatre at any time during the performance. A designated chillout area outside the theatre will be available for those who need a break.

Two fringe activities will take place on August 12 and 13 at the Rehearsal Hall, 7/F, Sheung Wan Civic Centre. The schedules are as follows:

(1) 11am: Parent-child Music and Movement Workshop

A Dalcroze specialist from Carrot Productions will guide participants through games, dancing and body movements to familiarise them with the original music featured in the performance.

(2) 3pm: Parent-child Music and Story-making Workshop

Guided by a music therapist and professional musicians, participants will improvise with percussion instruments to create a brand-new musical story inspired by the original music of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

Both workshops will be conducted in English with Cantonese interpretation. Tickets are priced at $180 (for adults) and $120 (for children) and limited places are available. For details, please visit the webpage at www.hkiac.gov.hk/2026/en/fairytales.html#fringe.

This year's IAC is presenting over 100 performances and related activities in July and August, bringing together artists from overseas, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong for an exciting lineup of interactive, inspiring and family-friendly programmes, including acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and multimedia. There are also film screenings, library activities, parent-child workshops, an online programme and exhibitions.

For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.

"Fantastic Fairy Tales" will be held from August 14 to 16 at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre. Combining live music, storytelling and animation, the programme also features interactive elements, creating a delightful artistic treat for families. (Source of photo: Carrot Productions) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fantastic Fairy Tales" will be held from August 14 to 16 at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre. Combining live music, storytelling and animation, the programme also features interactive elements, inviting children to explore how different musical instruments can tell stories. (Source of photo: Carrot Productions) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The International Arts Carnival, a summer arts festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will present a music-and-film programme, "Fantastic Fairy Tales" from August 14 to 16. Produced by Carrot Productions from the United Kingdom, the programme features original scores performed live by an ensemble. Paired with actors' performances and animated screenings, it takes audiences into a heartwarming world of fairy tales. (Source of photo: Carrot Productions) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases