Kazakhstan’s Anti-China Protests: Implications for the Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia

Year 2024, Volume: 16 Issue: 3, 417 - 440, 19.10.2024

Muhammet Koçak , Gökçen Gürel Yeşilçimen

https://doi.org/10.53376/ap.2024.15

Abstract

This article examines China’s increasing investments in Kazakhstan amid its declining soft power and growing public dissent. Focusing on Kazakhstan's strategic position within the Belt and Road Initiative, it analyzes how Chinese economic influence persists despite widespread protests and negative public opinion. Using a qualitative approach, the study synthesizes academic literature, policy analyses, news reports, and firsthand accounts to understand local views on Chinese influence. Findings show that while China’s economic power supports continued investment, the lack of soft power presents long-term risks. Without efforts to improve its image and build trust, China’s reliance on hard power may fuel anti-China sentiments, potentially leading to organized resistance and policy changes in Kazakhstan. The study emphasizes that China must incorporate soft power elements into its foreign policy to sustain influence in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia.

Keywords

Kazakhstan, China, Belt and Road Initiative, Anti-China Protests, Soft Power, Central Asia, Foreign Policy

Kazakistan’daki Anti-Çin Protestoları: Kuşak ve Yol Girişimi’nin Orta Asya’daki Etkileri

Abstract

Bu makale, Çin’in Kazakistan’da artan yatırımlarına karşın azalan yumuşak gücü ve yükselen kamu tepkisini incelemektedir. Kazakistan’ın Kuşak ve Yol Girişimi'ndeki stratejik konumu ele alınarak, yaygın protestolara ve olumsuz kamuoyuna rağmen Çin'in ekonomik etkisini nasıl koruduğu analiz edilmektedir. Nitel bir yöntem kullanılarak akademik literatür, politika analizleri, haberler ve birinci elden gözlemler bir araya getirilmiş ve yerel halkın Çin etkisine dair görüşleri anlaşılmaya çalışılmıştır. Bulgular, Çin’in ekonomik gücünün yatırımları sürdürmesini sağlasa da yumuşak güç eksikliğinin uzun vadede riskler barındırdığını göstermektedir. Çin’in imajını iyileştirme ve güven inşa etme çabası olmadan baskıcı etkilerinin anti-Çin duygularını daha da körükleyebileceği, bunun da Kazakistan’da örgütlü direniş ve politika değişikliklerine yol açabileceği sonucuna varılmaktadır. Çalışma, Çin'in Kazakistan ve Orta Asya’da sürdürülebilir bir etki yaratabilmesi için dış politikasına yumuşak güç unsurları katması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

Kazakistan, Çin, Kuşak ve Yol Girişimi, Anti-Çin Protestoları, Yumuşak Güç, Orta Asya, Dış Politika

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