Cited by 3Second Language Learning and TeachingLinguistic Education and PedagogyMultilingual Education and Policy

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 8 of the 8 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 6 of the 33 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Studying the Russian Language in China: Historical Background, Current State, Problems and Prospects

Open access
Tsvyk, Irina V., Tsvyk, Galina I.·2025·Vestnik RUDN. International Relations

Abstract

The relevance of this research is underpinned by the importance of supporting and promoting the Russian language as an instrument of the Russian Federation’s humanitarian policy abroad, coupled with the strategic signi cance of the comprehensive partnership of our country with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Against the backdrop of rapidly intensifying Russian-Chinese relations, the training of highly quali ed Chinese specialists pro cient in Russian has emerged as a critical factor for e ective cooperation in economic, scienti c, technological and cultural spheres. In this context, the purpose of this article is to evaluate the current state of Russian language education in China. In this research the authors employed a combination of general scienti c and historical methods. The foundation was formed by the historical and problem-chronological methods and approaches. The history of Russian language learning in China spans over three centuries, commencing with the establishment of the Russian Language Institution in Beijing in 1708. A peak in popularity of Russian language study occurred in the 1950s, fueled by the Soviet-Chinese alliance relations, followed by a decline during the subsequent deterioration of bilateral ties. A renewed phase of growth began after China introduced its reform and opening-up policy in 1978, gaining further momentum with the development of the strategic partnership between Russia and China at the beginning of the 21st century. At present, the Russian language maintains a stable position as one of the most sought-after foreign languages in China, trailing only English and Japanese in terms of prevalence. The Chinese Association of Teachers of the Russian Language and Literature plays a leading role in consolidating the community of Russists and providing methodological support. The authors highlight several key challenges, including the persistence of outdated teaching methodologies prioritizing grammatical accuracy over communicative competence; a de cit of contemporary teaching materials; the geographical concentration of Russian language centers in Northeast China and the limited career prospects for Russian studies graduates lacking supplementary specializations. As a viable solution, the study proposes a wider adoption of the “Language + Specialty” model. This approach cultivates specialists who possess not only Russian language pro ciency but also competencies in speci c professional elds (e.g., economics, law, technical sciences), thereby better aligning with the demands of Russian-Chinese practical cooperation.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The paper traces Russian-language study in China from the 1708 Beijing Russian School to the present, showing recovery and growth after the 1978 reforms and especially under contemporary Russia–China strategic partnership. It identifies persistent problems—outdated grammar-focused teaching, scarce modern materials, geographic concentration in northeast China, and weak career prospects for Russian-only graduates—and proposes a “language plus specialty” training model.

Key findings

  • Historically, Russian-language instruction in China began with the Russian School in Beijing in 1708, which lasted 154 years and was incorporated into the Tongwenguan in 1862; the popularity peak came in the 1950s, when by 1956 there were 1,960 Russian teachers and more than 13,000 Russian majors in Chinese universities.
  • Currently Russian is China’s third most studied foreign language after English and Japanese; the annual number of Chinese students and schoolchildren studying Russian exceeds 80,000, with about 1,600 Russian teachers (twice the 2005 figure and three times the 2010 figure).
  • Russian language and philology are taught as specialties in 181 Chinese higher education institutions, with about 36,000 students majoring in Russian (roughly six times the 2005 figure), about 20,000 studying Russian as a second foreign language, and over 400,000 schoolchildren in more than 280 schools learning Russian; Russian is compulsory in about 123 schools across 19 provinces.
  • Key problems are outdated teaching methods focused on grammar rather than communication, lack of modern teaching materials, concentration of Russian-language centers in northeast China, and limited employment prospects for graduates without additional specialization; the proposed solution is broader adoption of the “language plus specialty” model in economics, law, and technical fields.

Methods

  • The study uses historical and problem-chronological approaches, with quantitative data and comparative analysis of Russian-language study across different historical periods.
  • It treats the field as a system of interconnected elements: educational institutions, legal/normative framework, professional language associations, and Russian-language centers.
  • Evidence is drawn from cited Russian and Chinese scholarship, statistical data, bilateral agreements, and embassy reports, including unpublished 2015 and 2020 Russian embassy reports on the position of Russian in China.

Limitations

  • Not stated in the paper.
  • Evident from the text: the analysis relies on secondary statistical data and cited studies, including unpublished embassy reports, rather than primary surveys or original empirical data collection.
  • Evident from the text: the paper does not discuss possible inconsistencies or reliability problems across the cited statistics, nor does it systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Russian-language centers beyond qualitative observations.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.22363/2313-0660-2025-25-4-624-634

Cites

8 of 8 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

38 Own result · 18 Sources not found · 11 Not checked yet · 9 Own interpretation · 2 Supported · 2 Partly supported · 2 Couldn’t confirm · accuracy not yet measured

Verify all 7 references — free account

Show all 36 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 19
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 32
46 of 46
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The development of a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, including in the humanitarian sphere, is one of Russia's main foreign policy priorities.

    “Развитие всеобъемлющего стратегического партнерства с Китайской Народной Республикой (КНР), в том числе в гуманитарной сфере, представляет собой один из главных внешнеполитических приоритетов России.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Proficiency in Russian by entrepreneurs and officials from the PRC substantially simplifies interaction between Russia and China and increases the effectiveness of negotiations.

    “Владение русским языком предпринимателями и чиновниками из КНР существенно упрощает взаимодействие между двумя сторонами, повышает эффективность ведения переговоров.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In the Chinese education sector there is growing interest in learning Russian, stimulated by student and academic exchanges.

    “В китайском образовательном секторе наблюдается растущий интерес к изучению русского языка, стимулируемый студенческими и академическими обменами.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Getting higher education in Russian higher education institutions is gaining popularity among Chinese applicants, especially those planning careers in international projects with Russian participation or in spheres of most active cooperation with Russia.

    “Получение высшего образования в российских высших учебных заведениях набирает популярность среди китайских абитуриентов, особенно среди тех, кто планирует строить карьеру в международных проектах с российским участием или в сферах наиболее активного сотрудничества с Россией.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Among the Chinese population there is significant interest in Russian cultural heritage.

    “Среди китайского населения наблюдается значительный интерес к русскому культурному наследию, что способствует более глубокому пониманию китайцами традиций и обычаев народов России.”
5 of 5

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Show all 8 references

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Datsyshen, V. G. (2013). Learning Russian in China in the late 19th — early 20th century. Obshhestvo i Gosudarstvo v Kitae, 43(1), 577–586. (In Russian). EDN: XYXLIQ
  2. Fu, K. (1988). The history of foreign language education in China. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Press.
  3. Gao, H. & Yan, D. (2023). E yu zhuan ye xue sheng jiu ye jing zheng li pli yu yan jiu. Qi qi ha er shi fan gao deng zhuan ke que xiao que bao [Research on the cultivation of employment competitiveness of studying Russian major students]. Qi qi ha er shi fan gao deng zhuan ke que xiao que bao [Journal of Qiqihar Teachers College], (6), 96–99. (In Chinese).
  4. Liu, H. (2022). High-quality development of Russian language education in Chinese universities in the new era. Philological Class, 27(2), 126–131. (In Russian). EDN: AWLPQK
  5. Wang, L. (2018). Teaching Russian language in China: Historical and methodological experience of formation. Pedagogical Journal, 8(5A), 574–582. (In Russian). EDN: ZCWMOD

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Metadata

Authors
Tsvyk, I. V., & Tsvyk, G. I.
Affiliations
  • Moscow Aviation Institute (RU)
  • Diplomatic Academy of MGIMO of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RU)
Venue
Vestnik RUDN. International Relations
Published
2025-12-31
Volume
25
Issue
4
Pages
624-634
ISSN
  • 2313-0660 (ISSN-L)
  • 2313-0679
OpenAlex
W7118016500
Cited by
3
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 3
FWCI
4.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Vestnik RUDN International Relations (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • CyberLeninK (CyberLeninka) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Linguistics and Language › Second Language Learning and Teaching
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Linguistic Education and Pedagogy
  • Social Sciences › Linguistics and Language › Multilingual Education and Policy
Keywords
Russian language teaching, Russia-China relations, Russian language teaching methodology, communicative competence, teaching materials shortage

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