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Abstract

This paper analyzes the strategies, directions and instruments of the soft power policies pursued by Turkey and China in Central Asia. Both states have focused their main attention on education, language, and culture, which serve as the main tools of their soft power policy in these areas. The theoretical framework of the research is based on the concept of soft power developed by Joseph Nye. In addition, in the study was discusses the interpretations of soft power proposed by Chinese and Turkish scholars. The research methodology is based on content analysis and case study methods. The linguistic and cultural activities of the Confucius and the Yunus Emre Institutes were examined using the case study method. Within the framework of Turkey's language policy, particular attention has been given to the issue of adopting a common alphabet. China conducts educational and cultural activities within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Belt and Road Initiative. I argue that the soft power strategies of Turkey and China in Central Asia have a distinctive characteristic: China employs soft power primarily to reinforce its economic and political influence, whereas Turkey utilizes it within the framework of a common ethnolinguistic space and the formation of a common Turkic identity. This research is based on published materials, including reports, official documents, and analytical materials.