When Did Russians Start Learning Chinese?221

The history of Russian-Chinese language learning dates back to the 17th century, when the first Russian diplomatic missions were sent to China. However, it was not until the 19th century that the study of Chinese language and culture became widespread in Russia.

In 1835, the Russian government established the Oriental Studies Department at Kazan University, which became the first institution in Russia to offer courses in Chinese language and culture. In the following decades, other universities followed suit, and by the end of the 19th century, Chinese language learning had become a well-established discipline in Russia.

The main reason for the increased interest in Chinese language learning in the 19th century was the expansion of Russian influence in Central Asia and the Far East. As Russian traders and diplomats came into contact with Chinese people, they realized the importance of being able to communicate with them. In addition, the Russian government was interested in gaining access to Chinese knowledge and culture, which was seen as a way to improve Russia's economic and military power.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 brought about a temporary decline in Chinese language learning in Russia. The new Soviet government was suspicious of all things foreign, and Chinese language learning was seen as a relic of the old regime. However, in the 1930s, the Soviet government began to realize the importance of Chinese language and culture, and it once again started to promote its study.

After World War II, the Soviet Union became a major power in East Asia, and Chinese language learning became even more important. The Soviet government established a number of new Chinese language schools and institutes, and it sent thousands of students to study in China. By the 1980s, Chinese language learning had become a widespread phenomenon in the Soviet Union, and it was estimated that there were over 1 million people in the country who could speak Chinese.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to a decline in Chinese language learning in Russia. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Chinese language and culture. This is due in part to the growing economic ties between Russia and China, as well as the increasing popularity of Chinese culture in Russia.

Today, Chinese language learning is a popular choice for Russian students, and there are a number of Chinese language schools and institutes in Russia. In addition, many Russian universities offer courses in Chinese language and culture. The study of Chinese language and culture is now an important part of Russian education, and it is likely to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.

2024-11-15

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