Qazaq Historical Review

We are pleased to present you with the next issue of the scholarly journal Qazaq Historical Review. The present issue’s articles deal with the relations between Qazaqstan and other Central Asian states with the People's Republic of China/China, covering the history and current state of Central Asian and Chinese relations in the studies of Chinese researchers. The editorial board of the Qazaq Historical Review has invited modern historians and political scientists from China and Qazaqstan to publish the results of their research. The studies by six representatives of Chinese historical science and four Qazaqstani sinologists reveal different aspects of this topic. We hope that the new material will contribute to the strengthening of Qazaqstani and Chinese academic ties.

The research conducted by Dr. Yue Shi (Beijing University) and Dr. Qairat Batyrbayev (Eurasian National University) examines various aspects of how Chinese companies operating in Kyrgyzstan contribute to enhancing the bonds between individuals within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. The authors successfully used the oral narrative of the local population and successful individual examples. The article by Dr. Jingcheng Li (Shenzhen University) raises important issues of Qazaqstani and Chinese cooperation in the field of digital economy and digital society. China's experience in integrating the digital economy and the real sector is shown. Dr. Guliziyi Baishan (Shanghai University of Foreign Studies) conducts a comparative analysis of the education systems of China and Qazaqstan and traces the process of Qazaqstan's integration into the Bologna Process, as well as cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Qazaqstan in the field of education. The study by Dr. Wang Haiyan (East China Pedagogical University) using extensive historical material and statistical data traces the dynamics of China's relations with the Central Asian states over a thirty-year period. The article by Dr. Yihao Qiu (Fudan University) analyzes information from Chinese sources about the Jochid appanages in the Yuan Empire, the dual administrative structures in these appanages, as well as the relations of the Golden Horde with the Yuan Empire during the reign of Berke Khan and after his death. Dr. Wang Yao (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) examines European historical maps of the late 19th – early 20th centuries that contain information about the cities of Western Xinjiang. He has collected and systematized 25 rare maps that provide new opportunities for studying the historical geography of the region. Professor Svetlana Kazhirova (Institute of Oriental Studies) examines some features of the initial period of Qazaq-Chinese trade and the role of Russian officials in it. A comparative and semantic analysis of gender aspects in the traditional culture of the Qazaqs and Chinese people using the example of birth rites of the Qazaqs and the Chinese is given in the article by Dr. Dinara Saikeneva (Ablai Khan Qazaq University of International Relations and World Languages). Professor Konstantin Syroezhkin's article examines the topic of the People's Republic of China's presence in Central Asia. The author draws attention to new aspects of China's policy in Central Asia and the specifics of its presence in this region.

On behalf of the editorial board of the journal, I would like to express my gratitude to our authors, reviewers, editors and translators for your contribution to the preparation of this issue. I would like to express my gratitude to the special editor of the issue and the author, Prof. Svetlana Kazhirova, for her constant help and assistance in attracting foreign authors. I am also extremely grateful to Dr. Dinara Saikeneva for her assistance in translations from Chinese and correspondence with the authors. Dr. Zarine Dzhandosova (St. Petersburg State University) provided great assistance in translating and editing the texts in English.