Social exchanges as a tool of China's diplomacy based on the example of relations with Russia

The subject of research in this article is the diplomacy of the People's Republic of China as a specific tool of foreign policy and an important element of public diplomacy, implemented through cultural, educational, youth, media, and sports exchanges. The focus is on analyzing the essence and evolution of the concept of "people's diplomacy" in Chinese foreign policy discourse, its correlation with the concepts of public and cultural diplomacy, as well as the institutional mechanisms for its practical implementation. Special attention is paid to the strategy of partnership relations of the PRC as a foundation for the development of people’s diplomacy and its application in bilateral relations with the Russian Federation. Key directions of cooperation between China and Russia are considered, along with their political significance and role in forming a sustainable positive mutual perception of the societies of the two countries. The article focuses on identifying how social exchanges and initiatives function as tools of China's "soft power" and contribute to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the PRC and the Russian Federation in the context of the transformation of the modern system of international relations. The methodological framework of the study consists of structural-functional and institutional approaches, as well as comparative, historical-chronological, and narrative methods of analyzing foreign policy discourse and practices of people's diplomacy. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the comprehensive examination of the people's diplomacy of the PRC not only as a theoretical category but also as a practical tool for implementing a strategic partnership strategy, exemplified by Russian-Chinese relations. The work systematizes the main approaches to the interpretation of people's diplomacy in the Chinese political and academic discourse, identifies its key structural elements and narrative levels. It is argued that social exchanges in the fields of education, youth policy, culture, and sports serve as an essential mechanism for the institutionalization of people's diplomacy and strengthen political trust between China and Russia. The conclusion is made that people's diplomacy complements traditional diplomatic channels, expanding the foreign policy opportunities of the PRC and contributing to the formation of a stable image of China as a responsible global partner. Russian-Chinese social interaction is viewed as a mature model of applying China's diplomacy, oriented towards long-term strategic cooperation and promoting the idea of a multipolar world order.