Abstract. In recent years there has been an increase in China's influence on the economic, political and humanitarian life in Kazakhstan. It leads to an increase of Sinophobia in the country. The author analyzes the reasons and dynamics of anti-Chinese sentiments in Kazakhstan, coming to the conclusion that hostility to the Chinese is often irrational and serves as a marker of the population's distrust of the ruling elites. In the author’s opinion, everyday dissatisfaction with the dominance of “aliens” is complemented by the desire of the elites to use the image of an external enemy in the clan interests in the struggle for power. This is taken into account and is actively used by external forces, primarily by the United States, as to strengthen their positions in the region.