Revisiting the history of Chinese studies by the academy of sciences in the XVIII and XIX centuries

The study’s relevance lies in examining the long-term relationship between Russia and China, shaped by their geographical proximity and centuries-old historical ties. The primary aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the “Chinese vector” within the scientific endeavors of the Russian Academy of Sciences during the XVIII and XIX centuries. This approach enables to trace the evolution of early Russian-Chinese scientific cooperation, identify key areas of interaction, and assess the contributions of Russian scientists to the development of sinology as an independent academic discipline. The paper offers a comprehensive analysis of expeditions and naturalscientific research conducted collaboratively by scientists and the Russian Orthodox Mission in China. The study of China’s representation in Russian scientific circles is structured around the gradual transition from indirect information acquisition via Jesuit missionaries in the XVIII century to the establishment of a permanent scientific presence in Beijing during the second half of the XIX century, exemplified by the founding of the magneto-meteorological observatory. The research draws upon previously inaccessible sources from Russian archives, including the St. Petersburg Branch of the Archive of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian State Historical Archive, and the Archive of Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire.