At the invitation of the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations (KCIR) and Erlan Karin, State Counselor of Kazakhstan, Professor Yan Xuetong, Honorary Dean of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University, visited Astana, Kazakhstan, from April 27 to 28 for a series of academic engagements.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong (second from right) with Erlan Karin (second from left), State Counselor of Kazakhstan.)

During his visit, Professor Yan held talks with Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, where they engaged in in-depth discussions on China-Kazakhstan bilateral relations, evolving global dynamics, and regional cooperation in Central Asia. Professor Yan noted that amid the current trend of deglobalization, Kazakhstan, as a pivotal region in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), plays a stabilizing role—an "anchoring effect"—in Eurasia and global geopolitics through its stability and development. Deputy Minister Vassilenko emphasized China’s significance as a key partner in Kazakhstan’s "multi-vector diplomacy" and expressed expectations for deeper collaboration in security, economic, and cultural spheres.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong with Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.)

At the invitation of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, Professor Yan met with Ambassador Han Chunlin and exchanged views with embassy officials. Framed within his Theory of Moral Realism, Professor Yan analyzed the "Trump phenomenon" and the rise of populism as a challenge to the liberal international order, predicting that populist trends would persist for an extended period.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong with Ambassador Han Chunlin.)

On April 28, Professor Yan delivered a keynote lecture titled "Conceptual Insights in International Relations Theory" at the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations. Attendees included senior officials from the Presidential Administration, Parliament, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, as well as think tank scholars. Professor Yan systematically outlined the theoretical boundaries of realism, liberalism, and constructivism, with a focus on his Theory of Moral Realism, which underscores the critical role of "political leadership." The event was extensively covered by major Kazakh media outlets, including 24KZ TV, JIBEK JOLY NEWS, and Zakon.KZ.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong delivering the lecture and the event scene.)

Ai Banglin, Director of Communications at Tsinghua University’s Institute of International Relations, accompanied the delegation.