Chinese vector of Peter the Great's policy (embassy of L.V. Izmailov)

The article discusses the characteristics of Russian-Chinese relations in the era of Peter I. The study aims to analyze the documentary evidence of the Russian embassy members sent to China in 1719 -1721 to identify the factors that had a positive and negative impact on the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The relevance of the topic is determined by the fact that it reveals the degree of interest of the rulers of Russia and China in the development of interstate relations. The article outlines the topics that received the fullest coverage in the reports of the head of the embassy L.V. Izmailov and its members (John d'An-termoni Bell, Lorenz Lange, Georg Johann Unverzagt) in published diaries («Notes»). Particular attention is paid to the embassy members' description of the protocols for the reception of Russian diplomats by the Emperor of China. Along with the rules of court etiquette, the features of the national character and life of the Chinese population are noted. Information richness makes it possible to consider the documentary evidence of the participants of the Russian embassy to China in 1719-1721 an important historical source.