Russia opens research centre on Xi Jinping’s ideology, the first outside China

“Such an analysis will allow the Russian government, business and scientific community to understand modern China better, to formulate more precise strategies and forecasts for Russia-China relations,” he said.

“We are sure that the more we know our partners, and the more objective and correct this knowledge will be, the better it is for the development of friendly and mutually beneficial relations between Russia and China, Russia and other partners in Asia.”

Babaev said the research would focus on five areas of modern Chinese ideology – economic policy, internal policy and lawmaking, foreign policy and international relations, defence and security, and ecology and society.

Leading Russian sinologists from other research centres will also take part.

“We also emphasise that the laboratory will not accept any external financing and will only be financed by our institute, to make its work free of any ideological pressure,” he added.

China is among Russia’s main allies, both economically and geopolitically, with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin last year declaring a “no limits” partnership just weeks before Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Those ties have strengthened since then, as Beijing insists on “neutrality” over the conflict. China has never condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and opposes sanctions imposed on Russia by the West, instead continuing economic relations and cooperation with its partner.