China in the Russian mind today: Ambivalence and defeatism

• Published in: Europe-Asia studies Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 1 - 21
• Main Author: Shlapentokh, Vladimir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 01.01.2007; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: 21st century; Ambivalence; Anti-Americanism; Asia; Attention; Attitude formation; Attitudes; Borders; China; China (People's Republic) - Foreign relations - Russian Federation; Chinese culture; Communism; Countries; Economic reform; Elites; Government; International relations; Opinion polls; Peoples Republic of China; Political attitudes; Political attitudes - Russian Federation; Psychological attitudes; Public opinion; Russia; Russian Federation; Russian Federation - Foreign relations - China (People's Republic); Social classes; Studies; Territory; U.S.A; China; Russia
• ISSN: 0966-8136; 1465-3427
• DOI: 10.1080/09668130601072555

This article describes the ambivalence of Russian attitudes toward China at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Russians of all strata combine a willingness to see China as a friendly neighbour with a high level of fear of the giant that could swallow much of the country whole, especially the Asian part. The article pays special attention to the split in Russian views of China among elites. While some elites, who have strong anti-American attitudes, see China as a major ally against the United States, others call on the government to treat the United States as the single force that can help Russia protect the integrity of its territory against China, whose people still do not recognise the existing borders between the two countries.