Russian Orthodox Church in China: Past and Present

The article presents a retrospective analysis of the stages of formation of the missionary activity of the Russian Orthodox Church in China. Particular attention is paid to the origins and possibilities of strengthening its influence in the present, which is shown, among other things, by the example of a survey of modern Chinese youth. The methodological approach used was a systemic genetic approach and methods: observation, document analysis, expert survey on a random sample. It was established that the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in China are permitted, but strictly regulated by the state. The interest of Chinese youth in Russian Orthodoxy is associated with objective conditions: holding cultural events within the framework of exchange between Russia and China, with the education of young people in Russian universities, etc. The population's subjective interest in a religion that is not traditional for China is due to the desire to study a philosophy that is close to the values of Chinese culture: loyalty to family, respect for elders, the activities of the leadership and previous generations. The main challenges and prospects for the Orthodox community in China in modern conditions are assessed.