Reporter’s notebook: Kazakhstan trip highlights promise and limits of Central Asia ties
When I began planning a work trip to Astana this month, the first challenge was simply finding a flight. With no direct service from Hong Kong to the Kazakh capital, I could transfer in Guangzhou, Beijing, Urumqi or Seoul. I chose Guangzhou, which offered a direct flight lasting about seven and a half hours, but the limited schedule meant there was no flight on Saturday, forcing me to leave…
Planning a trip to Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, presented its own set of challenges. Hong Kong had no direct flights, forcing the traveler to transfer in Guangzhou. A seven and a half hour journey was required, but limited Saturday flights meant an early departure and an extended stay. This trip provided a glimpse into the potential and constraints of Hong Kong's growing Central Asia ties.
The city of Astana was bustling with construction, featuring cranes and new commercial districts. Chinese companies, Middle Eastern investors, and Russian firms had all left their mark on the city's skyline. The guide pointed out buildings developed by multiple investors, illustrating Kazakhstan's "multi-vector" foreign policy - maintaining close ties with Russia and attracting investment from China, the Middle East, Europe, and the US.
The guide himself was an ethnic Kazakh from China's Xinjiang Uygur region, now living in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has actively encouraged ethnic Kazakhs from China, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan to settle, expanding both its population and titular ethnic group. The guide spoke proudly of Astana's development, but noted that a McDonald's restaurant had left in 2023, citing supply issues due to the Ukraine war.
Astana's young population and linguistic diversity stood out. Many residents spoke Kazakh, Russian, and English, with some learning Mandarin. The city had attracted residents from Kazakh-speaking regions, contributing to the revival of the language. Astana's geographical location, language diversity, and cultural ties make it a unique player in the region.
However, Kazakhstan faces economic challenges. Many residents earn modest wages, and high prices for goods and services are common, prompting a shift towards food processing and light manufacturing. Energy is relatively cheap, with petrol costing just HK$4.30 (54 US cents). While direct flights from Hong Kong to Almaty are set to begin in January, they are just one step in establishing a commercial corridor.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
