The Historical and Political Image of China in the Humanitarian Dimension of Russian-Chinese Relations: An Analysis of Russian Grade 5 World History Textbooks

The article examines the historical and political image of China in four series of Russian Grade 5 world history textbooks and its significance for the humanitarian dimension of Russian-Chinese relations. Based on a comparative content and discourse analysis, the study considers the representations of China as a state, a civilizational center, and a participant in Eurasian interactions, as conveyed to middle school students in Russia. It has been established that the cultural achievements of China, as well as information about the political unification of the country, are covered most comprehensively in the textbooks, while diplomatic activities and multilateral external relations of China are shown in less detail. It is concluded that the image of China created in all four series of world history textbooks used in the Russian Federation forms a predominantly neutral-positive historical and symbolic context for bilateral relations.