Cultural and Anthropological Forms of Interaction between the Nanai People of the Russian Far East and the Hezhe of the People’s Republic of China at the Present Stage

The study examines the modern cultural-anthropological forms of interaction between the Nanai of the Russian Far East and the Hezhe of the People’s Republic of China. In the context of globalization, interest in studying intercultural interactions is growing. The evolution of Sino-Russian relations in the modern era demands a philosophically and culturally nuanced reorientation of traditional Oriental studies. Thus, the aim of the study is to identify the modern mechanisms sustaining sociocultural connectivity between the Nanai and Hezhe communities. The methodological basis is a comparative historical analysis, represented by specific events, eras, or periods, as well as a social anthropological approach focusing on material culture. As a result, it was established that the key mechanism for both historical division and the contemporary “artificial revival” of a common culture is material exchange and the objectification of cultural practices. Particular attention is paid to the persistence of interaction despite administrative division and cultural divergence, manifested through cross-border cooperation initiatives, cultural festivals, tourism ventures, and other transnational practices – all of which contribute to the strengthening of humanitarian ties between Russia and China.