The image of China in Russian media (based on articles from “Izvestia”, “Kommersant” and “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” in 2024)

Russia is one of the important countries in the world. As China’s largest neighbor, it plays a special role in enhancing China’s international communication capabilities. With the deepening of the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between China and Russia, the coverage of China in the leading Russian media has become more diverse and multi-faceted. This article analyzes the materials related to China’s image in three leading Russian newspapers: “Izvestia”, “Kommersant”, and “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” in 2024. The aim of the research is to identify the main reasons for the positive image of China in the Russian media and to put forward measures and recommendations for improving the perception of China’s image by the Russian people. This article mainly applies the method of literature research, the method of content analysis, and the method of case analysis. This research is intended to inspire and provide a basis for the further high-quality development of China-Russia relations and the realization of mutually beneficial cooperation. The main reasons for the emergence of a positive image of China are as follows: China’s own strength and development achievements attract attention; the relations and cooperation between Russia and China continuously reach new heights; China’s diplomatic concepts and its international responsibilities are recognized; the great variety of information dissemination forms promotes the cultivation of mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. This work suggests that China should take culture as a breakthrough point to comprehensively improve the country’s image, continue to strengthen cultural exchanges and dissemination, promote the exchange of experiences between civilizations, optimize media dissemination strategies, and guide the construction of China’s image in China-related issues; innovatively develop the ways of disseminating China’s image, deepen economic and trade cooperation and exchanges, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and interactions, and promote the high-quality development of empathy in the field of information dissemination.

1. Xi Jinping. ‘Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive Unitedly for Building a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects - Report at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China’. China Government Website. Available at: https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2022-10/25/content_5721685.htm [Accessed 25 October 2022] (in Chinese).

2. Xu Hua. The Image of China in Russian Public Opinion: An Analysis Based on Chineserelated Public Sentiment in Russia in 2017. Overseas Social Sciences. 2018;(4):13-23 (in Chinese).

3. Magdalinskaya U. The relations between Russia and China have withstood the test of strength and demonstrate a high degree of stability. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/05/24/akaravan-idet.html [Accessed 24 May 2024] (in Russian).

4. Koroleva A. Putin’s meeting with Xi Jinping will be fateful for the whole world. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/05/16/analitik-vstrecha-putina-s-si-czinpinom-stanet-sudbonosnoj-dlia-vsegomira.html [Accessed 16 May 2024] (in Russian).

5. Gatzak A. Lavrov: The dialogue between Russia (the Russian Federation) and China strengthens international security. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/05/30/lavrov-dialog-mezhdu-rf-iknr-ukrepliaet-mezhdunarodnuiu-bezopasnost.html [Accessed 30 May 2024] (in Russian).

6. Avdeev V. Igor Morgulov, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to China, on the Russia-China relations of an all-round partnership and strategic interaction. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/10/01/v-interesah-svoih-narodov.html [Accessed 1 October 2024] (in Russian).

7. Egorov I. Shoigu: Moscow and Beijing will oppose the United States’ policy of dual containment. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/11/12/shojgu-moskva-i-pekin-budut-protivodejstvovatpolitike-dvojnogo-sderzhivaniia-ssha.html [Accessed 12 November 2024] (in Russian).

8. Andreev A. Belousov called the military cooperation between the Russian Federation and China a factor of global stability. Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7231082?query=%D0%9A%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B9 [Accessed 14 October 2024] (in Russian).

9. In the Kremlin, the relations between Russia and China were described as constructive and partnership-based. Available at: https://iz.ru/1750533/2024-08-29/v-kremle-nazvali-otnosheniiarossii-s-knr-konstruktivnymi-i-partnerskimi [Accessed 29 August 2024] (in Russian).

10. Gatzak A. Lavrov: Russia and China will fight against sanctions within the frameworks of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/04/09/lavrov-rf-i-kitaj-budut-borotsia-s-sankciiami-v-formatah-briks-i-shos.html [Accessed 9 April 2024] (in Russian).

11. Lukyanov F. The United States needs Europe for its strategy of containing China. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/05/06/zadacha-so-vsemi-neizvestnymi.html [Accessed 6 May 2024] (in Russian).

12. Koroleva A. The White House: The United States is concerned about the development of relations between Russia and China. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/05/18/belyj-dom-sshaobespokoeny-razvitiem-otnoshenij-mezhdu-rf-i-kitaem.html [Accessed 18 May 2024] (in Russian).

13. Gasyuk A. NATO is contemplating the nationalization of China’s assets in Europe. Why is the Chinese issue so important to the United States and what is the alliance actually trying to achieve? Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/07/12/nato-obsuzhdaet-nacionalizaciiu-aktivov-knr-v-esv-sluchae-konflikta-aliansa-s-rf.html [Accessed 12 July 2024] (in Russian).

14. Gasyuk A. What did the leaders of China and the United States agree on and where did they differ at the APEC summit? Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/11/17/poproshchalis-v-peru.html [Accessed 17 November 2024] (in Russian).

15. Bolotov S. Analysts evaluated the impact of Trump’s victory in the United States on currency exchange rates and the Russian economy. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/11/07/analitikiocenili-vliianie-pobedy-trampa-v-ssha-na-kursy-valiut-i-ekonomiku-rossii.html [Accessed 7 November 2024] (in Russian).

16. Medvedev admitted that Trump could resolve the Ukrainian conflict. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/11/07/analitiki-ocenili-vliianie-pobedy-trampa-v-ssha-na-kursy-valiut-i-ekonomikurossii.html [Accessed 23 November 2024] (in Russian).

17. Gadjieva M, Grachev E. Kamala won’t show up: How Trump's election will affect the global economy. Available at: https://iz.ru/1786587/milana-gadzhieva-evgenii-grachev/kamala-nepokazhetsia-kak-izbranie-trampa-povliiaet-na-mirovuiu-ekonomiku [Accessed 6 November 2024] (in Russian).

18. Portyakova N. We’re writing to Biden, but Trump is on our minds. Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7310346 [Accessed 17 November 2024] (in Ruusian).

19. Goroshilova A. Putin believes that the economic model of China is the most effective. Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6759805?query=%D0%9A%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B9 [Accessed 7 July 2024] (in Russian).

20. Migunov D. The Sluggish China: Will the country's economic problems become serious? Available at: https://iz.ru/1728555/dmitrii-migunov/medlennyi-kitai-stanut-li-problemy-sekonomikoi-strany-sereznymi [Accessed 17 July 2024] (in Russian).

21. Edovina T. China is no longer in a hurry. Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6455443 [Accessed 18 January 2024] (in Russian).

22. Tikhonov S. For Russian oil, the Indian market is becoming equivalent to the Chinese market. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/07/11/mezhdu-slonom-i-drakonom.html [Accessed 11 July 2024] (in Russian).

23. Putin noted the achievements of Chinese automakers. Available at: https://iz.ru/1697287/2024-05-16/putin-otmetil-uspekhi-kitaiskikh-avtoproizvoditelei [Accessed 16 May 2024] (in Russian).

24. Goncharuk D. Putin: Russia welcomes the expansion of the presence of China’s automotive industry in its market. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/05/16/putin-rossiia-privetstvuet-rasshirenieprisutstviia-avtoproma-knr-na-svoem-rynke.html [Accessed 16 May 2024] (in Russian).

25. Every third Russian is ready to switch to Chinese cars. Available at: https://iz.ru/1669893/2024-03-22/kazhdyi-tretii-rossiianin-gotov-peresest-na-kitaiskie-avto [Accessed 22 March 2024] (in Russian).

26. Either it’s a share, or it’s not a share. Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7312049 [Accessed 19 November 2024] (in Russian).

27. Voronov A, Portyakova N. Go for the dumplings. Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6480395?query=%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9%20%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B9%20%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4 [Accessed 31 January 2024] (in Russian).

28. Gereykhanova A. Vladimir Putin gave an interview to Xinhua News Agency. Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/05/15/pod-flagom-druzhby.html [Accessed 15 May 2024] (in Russian).

29. Attitudes towards China, Brazil, Turkey, Iran, France, Ukraine, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations. Available at: https://www.levada.ru/2024/10/15/otnoshenie-k-kitayu-brazilii-turtsii-iranu-frantsii-ukraine-ssha-es-i-oon/ [Accessed 15 October 2024] (in Russian).

30. Egorova V. The VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center): Seven out of ten Russians described the relations between Russia and China as friendly. Available at: https://www.rg.ru/2024/05/16/vciom-sem-iz-desiati-rossiian-nazvali-otnosheniia-rf-i-kitaia-druzhestvennymi.html [Accessed 16 May 2024] (in Russian).

31. Li Wei. The Chinese ‘Dragon’ in the eyes of Russia’s ‘bear’: an analysis based on survey data of China’s cultural soft power. Overseas Social Sciences. 2012;(5):81-89 (in Chinese).

32. Xu Chong. Public perception of China’s national image among Russian citizens over the past decade: an empirical analysis based on domestic poll results. World Economy and Politics Forum. 2012;(3):92-104 (in Chinese).