This week, we are hosting the next instalment of our Frontier Talks platform with a seminar led by Dr. Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies and Chinese Studies Program at IAIS.

Dr. Bobokhonov’s presentation will focus on the evolving perceptions of China across Central Asian societies, with a particular emphasis on the rise and persistence of anti-China sentiment. Although China has significantly expanded its economic and infrastructural footprint across the region under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, societal attitudes have not uniformly reflected governmental enthusiasm for engagement with Beijing.

This session will delve into the complex interplay of factors that have contributed to the scepticism and, at times, open hostility towards China among various segments of the Central Asian public. Drawing from a range of international studies, external analyses, and comparative examples, Dr. Bobokhonov will examine how historical legacies, nationalist discourses, socio-economic insecurities, and the influence of external media and geopolitical narratives have shaped perceptions of China as a powerful yet often mistrusted actor in the region.

By offering an outside-in perspective, the talk will encourage a deeper understanding of how external observers interpret the roots of anti-China attitudes in Central Asia, and what these perceptions may mean for the region’s future engagement with China.

We warmly invite all interested in Central Asian international relations, regional political psychology, and China’s global image to attend this intellectually stimulating discussion.

Date: Friday, April 25

Time: 3 PM

Venue: IAIS Meetings Area