The leaders of Hong Kong and Uzbekistan met on Wednesday to strengthen trade ties, as China and the Central Asian country signed 15 bilateral agreements covering areas such as infrastructure, healthcare and metal production.

At a meeting at Government House with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdullah Nigmatovich Aripov, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged to expand Hong Kong’s presence in Belt and Road Initiative markets and strengthen cooperation.

Speaking later at a forum and exhibition with the Uzbek business and government delegation, Lee said Aripov’s presence “spoke volumes” about the strength of ties between Uzbekistan and China.

“I am confident that today’s Uzbekistan-China (Hong Kong) Economic Forum will set our two economies, and our two peoples, together on a far-reaching and mutually rewarding partnership,” Lee said.

He said intergovernmental ties were growing stronger and encouraged Uzbek businesses to set up regional offices, list on the stock exchange, and make use of professional services in Hong Kong.

Lee also pointed to government scholarships offered specifically to students from Belt and Road Initiative countries, including Uzbekistan, to study at the city’s post-secondary institutions, helping to further promote people-to-people ties.