Professor Aziz Burkhanov (Nazarbayev University) 

This presentation explores perceptions of China and the “One Belt One Road” initiative in the public discourse of Kazakhstan. In recent years, China, Chinese investments, and Chinese-backed projects have gained a lot of attention in Kazakhstan's media discourse. Discourse analysis of different languages of media outlets in Kazakhstan reveals that Kazakhstanis’ views towards China and the OBOR initiative are divided. The official discourse in both state-sponsored Russian and Kazakh-language media is in accordance with the country’s policy towards further engagement with China. However, more reserved and oftentimes stereotypical portrayal of China and the OBOR are reproduced in private Kazakh-language media outlets. Private Russian-language media have a more nuanced view towards China with a hidden criticism. The presentation will also discuss recent survey results on perception of China and the OBOR in Kazakhstan. Although the majority of these societal voices may not have a direct impact on national policies of Kazakhstan, they are important to understand societal perceptions of China in Central Asia.