Educational Diplomacy of Russia and China in the Digital Era: Commonalities and Distinctions

Amid the transformation of the global system of international relations, educational diplomacy is gaining increasing importance as a tool of humanitarian influence, national image formation, and strategic positioning. The changing global order, the advancement of digital technologies, and growing competition for intellectual and cultural resources necessitate a rethinking of traditional models of educational cooperation. The aim of this study is to identify the features of international educational cooperation in the digital age and to examine the specificity of Russian and Chinese educational diplomacy as an instrument of foreign policy and a factor in shaping global humanitarian influence. The object of the research is the educational diplomacy of the two countries as a form of international engagement in the context of globalization, digitalization, and humanitarian competition. The study seeks to conceptualize new forms of educational partnership and their role in developing alternative models of global humanitarian cooperation. The methodology is based on the works of Russian and Chinese scholars in the field of humanitarian policy. Comparative analysis of strategic approaches and content analysis of key policy documents are employed to assess digital educational initiatives and their diplomatic significance. The scientific novelty lies in clarifying the similarities and differences in the strategies of Russia and China and in revealing the link between digital educational formats and foreign policy priorities in a multipolar world. The findings show that Russia emphasizes cultural identity, Eurasian humanitarian integration, and regional connectivity, while China promotes a global educational community based on universalism, inclusivity, and sustainable development. The results confirm that educational diplomacy is becoming a key channel of humanitarian influence and strategic international engagement.