Normative Power China: Why Kazakhstan is Ignoring the ‘Re-education’ Camps in Xinjiang

Abstract

The issue of the Xinjiang re-education camps has not led to universal condemnation of China’s policies. In fact, some of the countries whose citizens are interned prefer not to press the issue at all. This has been the case of Kazakhstan, the largest Central Asian country neighbouring China. Using the concept of normative power China (NPC), this article examines via content analysis of speeches and interviews how and why the Kazakhstani government has followed the Chinese official position. The results suggest that China has been somewhat successful in exerting its normative influence amongst the Kazakhstani political elites.