China’s Cultural Diplomacy in the Context of Strategic Partnership with Russia: Between Symbolism and Pragmatism

This study examines the cultural diplomacy of the People's Republic of China within the context of its strategic partnership with the Russian Federation amid the transformation of the global order and intensifying geopolitical competition. The object of analysis includes symbolic practices, institutional mechanisms, media platforms, digital resources, and educational initiatives through which China conducts its humanitarian engagement and promotes cultural identity in Russia. The author explores how elements of soft power—from Confucius Institutes and cultural festivals to academic exchanges, media strategies, and the Chinese diaspora—shape a positive and resilient image of China in Russian public and expert discourse. Special attention is given to the balance between ideological symbolism and pragmatic objectives, such as building strategic trust, advancing political and economic interests, institutionalizing humanitarian cooperation, and enhancing China’s role as a civilizational actor in Eurasia. The methodological framework is based on constructivism, soft power theory, institutional analysis, and discourse analysis, offering an interdisciplinary lens for understanding cultural diplomacy as a hybrid tool of foreign policy. The study’s scientific novelty lies in interpreting China’s cultural diplomacy as a strategy of hybridization, where symbolic forms of cultural exchange are embedded in broader foreign policy goals. Unlike traditional conceptions of soft power as a purely humanitarian resource, the paper demonstrates that China employs a multilayered system of influence involving institutions, media, digital channels, and grassroots actors. The findings suggest that China’s cultural diplomacy towards Russia not only enhances its national image but also fosters a durable architecture of humanitarian partnership, reinforcing strategic cooperation in a post-Western international environment.