Azerbaijan-China Relations: Azerbaijani Culture Emergence in the Context of the People’s Republic of China

Abstract

This paper examines the evolving cultural and diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China, with a particular focus on the emergence and growing visibility of Azerbaijani culture within Chinese socio-political and academic contexts. Against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting global order, the study analyzes how Azerbaijan strategically employs a multi-level approach, encompassing state-led diplomacy, educational cooperation, and diaspora entrepreneurship, to enhance its cultural presence and soft power in China. A mixed-methods approach is adopted, combining qualitative content analysis of policy documents, media narratives, and institutional reports with quantitative data derived from two rounds of structured surveys. Special attention is paid to the formal establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2024, the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China in 2025, and the enduring alignment of bilateral cooperation with the principles of the Belt and Road Initiative. Consequently, by integrating cultural diplomacy with pragmatic economic strategies, Azerbaijan seeks to further solidify its cultural presence and strengthen bilateral relations in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.

Keywords

• Azerbaijani Culture
• Cultural Diplomacy
• World Order
• Azerbaijan-China Relations

Azerbaycan-Çin ilişkileri: Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti bağlamında Azerbaycan Kültürünün Yükselişi

Öz

Bu makale, Azerbaycan ile Çin arasındaki gelişen kültürel ve diplomatik ilişkileri, özellikle de Çin’in sosyo-politik ve akademik bağlamları içinde Azerbaycan kültürünün yükselişi ve artan görünürlüğü üzerine odaklanarak incelemektedir. Hızla değişen küresel düzen arka planında çalışma, Azerbaycan’ın Çin’deki kültürel varlığını ve yumuşak gücünü artırmak amacıyla devlet odaklı diplomasi, eğitim iş birliği ve diaspora girişimciliğini kapsayan çok düzeyli bir yaklaşımı stratejik biçimde nasıl kullandığını analiz etmektedir. Nitel içerik analizi (politika belgeleri, medya anlatıları ve kurumsal raporlar) ile iki aşamalı yapılandırılmış anketlerden elde edilen nicel verilerin birleştirildiği karma yöntemli bir araştırma yaklaşımı benimsenmiştir. Özellikle 2024 yılında iki ülke arasında stratejik ortaklığın resmen kurulması, 2025’te Cumhurbaşkanı İlham Aliyev’in Çin’e yaptığı devlet ziyareti ve ikili iş birliğinin Kuşak ve Yol Girişimi ilkeleriyle sürekli uyumu üzerinde durulmaktadır. Sonuç olarak Azerbaycan, kültürel diplomasiyi pragmatik ekonomik stratejilerle bütünleştirerek kültürel varlığını daha da pekiştirmeyi ve giderek daha fazla birbirine bağlı hâle gelen küresel ortamda ikili ilişkileri güçlendirmeyi hedeflemektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Azerbaycan Kültürü
• Kültürel Diplomasi
• Küresel Düzen
• Azerbaycan-Çin İlişkileri

Kaynakça

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