Opinion | Chinese citizens’ mistreatment a reminder Sino-Russian ties aren’t all wine and roses

Regardless of how close China and Russia’s governments appear to be publicly, there is long-standing distrust between their peoples behind the scenes

The enduring lack of trust among individuals might look small now, but the geopolitical influence of distrust can be far-reaching

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and President Xi Jinping make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21. Despite the public displays of goodwill and friendship between the Russian and Chinese governments, there are still deep distrust and hard feelings dating back more than a century between the two sides. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:30am, 17 Aug 2023

When five Chinese citizens were unfairly treated at the Russian border late last month, the Chinese embassy in Russia took the unusual step of publicly lashing out at Moscow. China-Russia relations are no longer what they were a few years ago.

The shift in the Sino-Russian relationship after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s clumsy aggression against Ukraine has made Beijing more willing to give voice to its displeasure, echoing the Chinese people’s outrage against Russia’s treatment of their compatriots. Regardless of how close the two governments appear to be publicly, there is long-standing distrust between their peoples behind the scenes.

Travel writer Colin Thubron has embarked on a remarkable journey along the Amur River, a natural border between Russia and China. In his book The Amur River: Between Russia and China, published last October, Thubron brings the experience to life through numerous accounts of the intense animosity and profound mutual suspicion between Russians and Chinese.

Thubron vividly recalls ancient battles, past slights, offences and the enduring impact of unequal treaties as if these historical events were still fresh in the minds of those involved. Russians have a deep-rooted history of Sinophobia, stemming from the geographical proximity of China and Russia, as well as the significant population imbalance along their shared border.

General Alexsei Kuropatkin, who was defence minister and commander of the Russian army during the Russo-Japanese War, once expressed the view that if the Russo-Chinese border was removed and Chinese people were permitted to migrate into Siberia as freely as Russians, Siberia would eventually undergo Sinicisation while Russians would be forced to move beyond the Ural Mountains.

Professor Yuri Tavrovsky, affiliated with the People’s Friendship University of Russia, contends that when China presents proposals for development initiatives in the Far East, Russian officials maintain a cautious stance and keep these concerns in mind, albeit without mentioning anything openly.

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