Kazakhstani Students’ Mobility To China:Chinese International Education As Relational Public Diplomacy

Soft power relates to the influence and attractiveness a nation can acquire and leverage when others are drawn to the culture, values and ideas of a nation. Joseph Nye defined this contemporary concept as "getting others to want what you want", or to shape what others want by means of attraction rather than coercion. International education can contribute to a nation’s soft power when it is recognized as a tool for public diplomacy. When leveraged successfully, international education is capable of becoming a prime vehicle to contribute to a nation’s soft power profile. Diplomacy and education have both held aspirations for a common humanity and a broader international society. Education and diplomacy have been closely tied to the interests of the nation-state.It is apparent that China has been deploying different tactics in the international relations arena. In specific, China has become successful in gradually becoming a political and economic force in central Asia. China has been playing a hands-off system in foreign country’s democratic issues, giving minimal or no conditions for their partnerships, exercising the sense of respect, giving generous loans, grants and trade deals to developing countries as well as sponsoring foreign students in their public universities. Kazakhstan seems to be benefiting in China’s strategies, especially in the academic sector. There has been a rapid increase in the number of Kazakhstani students in China.This paper discusses about Chinese international education as relational public diplomacy focused on Kazakhstani student mobility to China. In this study, the economic, political, social, and cultural impacts of Chinese international education as a form of public diplomacy toward Kazakhstan are unveiled and evaluated.Chinese international education as relational public diplomacy toward Kazakhstan holds very promising results, specifically when looking at its positive impact on public perception in Kazakhstan. Chinese international education as a tool of public diplomacy generates employment for the revitalization of Chinese investment to Kazakhstan. Chinese investment in this Central Asian nation will be easier and more efficient if there are Kazakh professionals and stakeholders who have received higher education in China. Chinese international education as a tool for public diplomacy is, therefore, a good investment for the Chinese government. It also directly benefits Kazakhstani citizens for it makes them more competitive in face of the growing connections between China and Kazakhstan.