Russian Digital Diaspora in China formation

The article analyzes digital practices for preserving historical memory and cultural identity of the Russian diaspora in China. Drawing on longterm field research, archival materials, and social media data, the author examines how modern information and communication technologies — websites, WeChat groups, Telegram channels, online archives, and distance learning platforms — are becoming not merely auxiliary tools but a constitutive element of diasporic reality. Theoretically, the study draws on the concepts of digital diaspora, transnationalism, and cultural hybridity (H. Bhabha, R. Young), which allow interpreting the diaspora’s digital footprint as a manifestation of the longterm and multilayered interaction between Russian and Chinese cultures. The empirical basis comprises unique materials collected by the author during her work in compatriot organizations in China, as well as open data from official publications and social networks. The article classifies the digital tools used by the diaspora (social media, online archives, educational platforms) and, through content analysis and event visualization, demonstrates how the digital environment fosters the emergence of new hybrid forms of intercultural dialogue — from bilingual posts and joint celebrations to online commemorations and virtual exhibitions. Special attention is paid to the analysis of hashtags, language practices, and festive formats as markers of hybrid identity. The author concludes that the Russian diaspora in China is transforming into a hybrid digital network in which technologies ensure organisational cohesion, continuity of cultural life, and intergenerational transmission of heritage even under offline restrictions. The proposed digital approach overcomes the limitations of traditional historicalcultural description and opens new perspectives for studying diasporic communities in the global digital space. The results of the research can be used to develop strategies for cultural adaptation and identity preservation in other diaspora groups.