The Image of China in Turkish Secondary Education History Textbooks

Abstract

In this study, the image of China and how China has been approached in the 9th, 10th and 11th grade Turkish history textbooks of secondary school was evaluated. Within the scope of the study, compulsory history textbooks, Turkish Culture and Civilization History textbook, Contemporary Turkish and World History textbook published by the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye were examined. By considering the basic factors that create the image of China in Turkish history textbooks, how China has been represented in the textbooks and positive, negative statements were analyzed. In the study, which was designed as a qualitative research, document analysis was used as data collection technique and descriptive research model was used as a research model. As a result of the research, the name of China is mostly mentioned in the section of China’s relations with pre-Islamic Turkish states. However, the interaction of the Chinese with the Huns and Göktürks and the construction of the Great Wall of China were frequently included in the history textbooks of secondy education. While the image of China stands out in Turkish history textbooks through historical events, no direct negative images of China have been identified. The mention of One Road One Belt Project in the 9th grade textbook is an indication of a positive image of China. The history textbooks are affected by the relations between the two countries periodically in history, and as a result the image of China changes in line with periods and historical events.