China’s Foreign Policy towards Kazakhstan: A Case Study of Xi Jinping Leadership (2013-2022)

Abstract

The foreign policy of China has a complex nature and has attracted a lot of interest in the dynamic field of international relations, particularly when it comes to China's neighboring countries. China’s relationship with Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country of geopolitical importance, is one such state. The key objective of the study is to examine the many aspects of the foreign policy of China towards Kazakhstan, paying close attention to the years 2013–2022, during Xi Jinping presidency. China saw a paradigm change in its foreign policy approach against the backdrop of Xi Jinping's rise to power in 2013, which is characterized by an assertive posture on the international scene. This research examines the political, economic, and strategic factors that have influenced Sino-Kazakh ties, focusing on the dynamics that define these relations during this period. The historical and contemporary dynamics of the Sino-Kazakh relations are characterized by their complex nature, with ongoing developments shaping the current situation. Kazakhstan, which is strategically situated between China and Europe and has abundant mineral and oil assets, is a crucial cross-continental transit route. Throughout history, Kazakhstan has functioned as a buffer zone between China and Russia, and conflicts regarding territorial claims between China and Kazakhstan were successfully resolved through mutually agreed upon agreements during the 1990s.1 Consequently, the outcome of this development was the formation of a bilateral relations between the two nations, characterized by enhanced collaboration across multiple domains, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)