Chinese nationalism flares up ahead of Xi's visit to Russia

Angry Chinese nationalist comments demanding the return of territories flooded the official microblogs of Russia's embassy to China on Tuesday, ahead of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow.

The appeals refer to a large chunk of territories China had relinquished to the Russian Empire in the 19th century in a series of treaties deemed unfair by the Chinese government. The comments also underscore discontent against China's ruling Communist Party, whose doctrine originates from Marxism-Leninism ideology from the Soviet Union.

Many Chinese people said the ceded lands, which lie northeast and northwest of China, would add up to more than 1.5 million sq km in total.

Some weibo users also blamed Russia for masterminding the independence of Mongolia in 1921, a territory once under China’s rule.

The nationalist comments reflect high sensitivity among the Chinese about territorial disputes. Last year massive anti-Japan protests broke out across the mainland over contested sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.