China’s Cultural Diplomacy in Kazakhstan: Main Instruments and Features of Public Perception
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65469/eijournal.2026.2.2Keywords:
cultural diplomacy, China, Kazakhstan, soft power, public diplomacy, Confucius Institutes, public perception, Central AsiaAbstract
The article examines China’s cultural diplomacy in Kazakhstan, its main instruments, and the specific features of public perception. The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that China’s role in Kazakhstan is usually discussed through economic cooperation, infrastructure projects, and geopolitical changes in Central Asia, while cultural and educational channels of influence receive less integrated attention. The purpose of the study is to identify the mechanisms through which China builds its cultural presence in Kazakhstan and to assess how these efforts are perceived by society. The article applies qualitative analysis of academic literature, analytical materials, and open sources. It finds that the most visible instruments of China’s cultural diplomacy are language promotion, Confucius Institutes, academic exchanges, educational programs, media outreach, and public cultural events. At the same time, their influence remains limited because pragmatic interest in China often coexists with caution, fears of dependence, and a sense of cultural distance.
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