Beyond the ‘Friend or Enemy’ Paradigm: Exploring the Role of Worldviews and Self-Perceptions in Russia–China Relations (2008–2023)

This article compares Russian and Chinese national belief systems and analyses how they influence bilateral relations. Looking at primary sources—official documents, speeches, articles in state-controlled outlets—through a constructivist lens, we conduct a comparative analysis of Russia’s and China’s self-perceptions and worldviews, shedding light on their dis/similarities. We then discuss the compatibility of such belief systems and their implications for mutual understanding and the cultivation of shared interests. By doing so, the article contributes nuance to the debate on Russia–China relations, escaping the tendency to see them as a ‘limitless partnership’ or as destined to turn into enmity.