Russian–Chinese Academic Mobility As Competitive Partnership

Abstract: Trends and characteristics of Russian–Chinese academic mobility are considered as a complex phenomenon, the impact of which goes far beyond the framework of bilateral relations in higher education. The prevailing target model of development of Russian–Chinese academic mobility, based on quantitative indicators, is shown as not accounting for the process specifics and not enough harmonized with solutions to other no less important tasks associated with pursuing the interests of the Russian Federation in the international arena and achieving the goals of Russia’s national development. Particular attention is paid to complex causal relationships and multilevel effects that accompany functioning processes in Russian–Chinese relations in the subject area under study. The competitive partnership model, proposed by the authors to describe interaction between the two countries, appears promising both for conceptualizing the diversity of processes and opposite effects of Russian–Chinese cooperation in higher education and as a theoretical basis for creating an effective target model and improving the humanitarian dimension of cooperation between Russia and the PRC.