Report on Chinese netizens’ perceptions of the Sino-Russian border

In his recent report, Urmas Hõbepappel, an analyst at the University of Tartu Asia Centre, examines China–Russia relations from a historical perspective.

Author: Urmas Hõbepappel

Title: Chinese netizens’ perceptions of the Sino-Russian border

Full report in PDF format

The report draws attention to the formation of the border between the two countries and the related challenges. It also provides an overview of the narratives and attitudes surrounding the China–Russia border as reflected in Chinese online media, noting that the geographic proximity of the disputed territories to China’s political centre in Beijing makes the Far Eastern regions’ belonging to Russia difficult to accept. Although the current China–Russia strategic partnership remains strong, unresolved territorial disputes, competing historical narratives, and differing national identities pose a potential threat to the long-term sustainability of their cooperation.