CONSTRUCTIVISM IN CHINA-CENTRAL ASIA RELATIONS: AN ANALYSIS OF IDEAS, VALUES, AND DISCOURSE

This study examines relations between China and the Central Asian countries from a constructivist perspective in international relations theory. It focuses on the analysis of ideas, values, norms, and discursive practices that shape the nature of regional interactions, including historical narratives and humanitarian forms of cooperation. The study aims to identify how political rhetoric, official documents, and public communications contribute to the social construction of strategic partnerships and mutual trust.The methodological basis of the study is a discourse and content analysis of official statements, policy documents, and media materials. It is shown that concepts such as "peaceful development," "mutually beneficial cooperation," "community of common destiny," and the principle of non-interference play a key role in shaping the dominant framework of regional interactions. The article argues that China's relations with the Central Asian countries are shaped not only by material factors but are also largely determined by socially constructed perceptions, norms, and value orientations. The findings expand the understanding of the mechanisms of regional cooperation and contribute to the development of constructivist research in the Central Asian context.