RCCHC "China and the World: Historical Interactions" Talk Series - From Borderlands to Global Exchanges: Bridging Scales of Russian–Chinese Intercultural Dialogue

This lecture explores the diverse scales of intercultural dialogue between Russia and China, moving from local encounters in border regions (Zabaykalsky krai/Northeast China) to broader exchanges between global cities (St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Shanghai, Hong Kong). Drawing on the concept of cultural diplomacy and the century-long experience of people-to-people ties, it highlights how everyday practices and symbolic representations contribute to mutual understanding and cooperation. While addressing intercultural dialogue as a dynamic process of exchange and interaction, the lecture also considers cross-cultural encounters that reveal differences in traditions, values, and communicative styles. Special attention will be given to Hong Kong as a cultural crossroads, where East and West intersect and where the historical and contemporary dimensions of such relations can be reconsidered. By bridging local practices with national strategies and global perspectives, this talk seeks to provide a nuanced view of how intercultural dialogue shapes both regional connections and international diplomacy.