An overview of Russian language teaching in South Manchuria (Mukden province) in the late Qing dynasty

The article traces the history of the spread of the Russian language in Mukden province during the late Qing Dynasty. Due to specific political situation that came into being as a result of the introduction of temporary external control over this territory by the Russian administration in 1900, as well as Russian lease of the southern part of this province (known as Kwantung region), the Russian and Chinese educational systems co-existed there for some time. Schools and colleges of both systems were united by the fact that responding to the need for qualified personnel with knowledge of the Russian language, some of them started to teach Russian to Chinese students. In addition to training Russian language interpreters in the region itself, the authorities of Mukden province began to send their students to Harbin in the 1910s, where the Russians developed an extended educational system. Some Chinese graduates of Harbin educational institutions later became renowned experts in the Russian language, prominent public figures, and statesmen.