A Win-Win Relationship between China and Kazakhstan: Thinking Beyond Dependency

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 421 - 441

Yavuz Çelik , Janaka Jayawickrama

https://doi.org/10.29216/ueip.1518040

Abstract

This article focuses on the economic cooperation between China and Kazakhstan from a win-win perspective. Kazakhstan’s geographical location and rich natural resources make it a strategic partner for regional and global actors. Dependency theory is often used to explain asymmetric and unequal relations between developed and developing countries. According to this theory, developing countries become dependent on developed countries, which hinders their economic development. However, it is argued that this traditional theory cannot fully explain only partially China and Kazakhstan. Economic cooperation between China and Kazakhstan has been analyzed through trade relations, investment flows, and significant infrastructure projects. These projects reinforce not only financial but also political and cultural interactions. Dependency theory cannot fully understand the relations between China and Kazakhstan, characterized by mutual benefit and win-win situations. China’s investments in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy approach reveal a cooperation model that serves the interests of both countries. China’s BRI initiative and Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol program are concrete examples of cooperation between the two countries. This article goes beyond the boundaries of traditional dependency theory and offers a new perspective based on mutual benefit and win-win relationships.

Keywords

China, Kazakhstan, Economic Relations, Win-Win Approach, Dependency Theory.

Çin ve Kazakistan Arasında Kazan-Kazan İlişkisi: Bağımlılığın Ötesinde Düşünmek

Abstract

Bu makale Çin ve Kazakistan arasındaki ekonomik ilişkilere kazan-kazan perspektifinden odaklanmaktadır. Kazakistan'ın coğrafi konumu ve zengin doğal kaynakları onu bölgesel ve küresel aktörler için stratejik bir ortak haline getirmektedir. Bağımlılık teorisi genellikle gelişmiş ve gelişmekte olan ülkeler arasındaki asimetrik ve eşitsiz ilişkileri açıklamak için kullanılır. Bu teoriye göre, gelişmekte olan ülkeler gelişmiş ülkelere bağımlı hale gelmekte ve bu da ekonomik kalkınmalarını engellemektedir. Ancak bu geleneksel teorinin Çin ve Kazakistan ilişkilerini tam olarak açıklayamadığı, sadece kısmen açıklayabildiği ileri sürülmektedir. Çin ve Kazakistan arasındaki ekonomik işbirliği ticari ilişkiler, yatırım akışları ve önemli altyapı projeleri üzerinden analiz edilmiştir. Bu projeler sadece ekonomik değil aynı zamanda siyasi ve kültürel etkileşimleri de güçlendirmektedir. Bağımlılık teorisi, karşılıklı fayda ve kazan-kazan durumları ile karakterize edilen Çin ve Kazakistan arasındaki ilişkileri tam olarak anlayamaz. Çin'in Kazakistan'daki yatırımları ve Kazakistan'ın çok vektörlü dış politika yaklaşımı, her iki ülkenin de çıkarlarına hizmet eden bir işbirliği modelini ortaya koymaktadır. Çin'in BRI girişimi ve Kazakistan'ın Nurly Zhol programı iki ülke arasındaki işbirliğinin somut örnekleridir. Bu makale geleneksel bağımlılık teorisinin sınırlarını aşarak karşılıklı fayda ve kazan-kazan ilişkilerine dayalı yeni bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Çin, Kazakistan, Ekonomik İlişkiler, Kazan-Kazan perspektifi, Bağımlılık Teorisi.

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