Uzbekistan and Hong Kong discuss establishing mutual visa-free regime

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  A meeting between diplomats from the Embassy of Uzbekistan and representatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China was held in Beijing. This was reported by the Dunyo news agency.

During the meeting with Wong Wei-kee, Head of the Immigration Department, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in the consular-legal sphere, Hong Kong’s immigration policies, and prospects for the development of tourist exchange between the countries.

The negotiations also addressed issues related to Hong Kong’s visa policy, the protection of the rights and interests of citizens from both sides, and the expansion of the legal framework in these areas.

It was noted that, since from 1 March 2021, Uzbekistan introduced a visa-free regime for Chinese citizens, including those from Hong Kong and Macau, for up to 10 days. On December 1, 2024, an Agreement on a mutual visa-free regime was signed between Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China in Chengdu. The legal procedures for the agreement’s entry into force are currently underway.

Uzbekistan expressed its intention to reach an agreement with Hong Kong on a mutual visa-free regime for its citizens.

The Hong Kong side highly praised Uzbekistan’s political and economic reforms, particularly in tourism development and favorable conditions for entrepreneurship and foreign investors. It was also emphasized that Hong Kong is interested in strengthening bilateral ties with Uzbekistan, including expanding citizen exchanges and developing the tourism sector.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue cooperation on the above-mentioned issues.