Thousands of Russian professionals, including entrepreneurs, engineers, doctors, and teachers, have increasingly relocated to China in recent years.
On January 31, researchers from the Russian Federal Research Sociological Center (FRSSC) of the Russian Academy of Sciences reportedly this trend to higher salaries and better economic opportunities in China.
Sociologists note that most migrants come from Moscow and St. Petersburg, though a significant number also move from Siberia and the Russian Far East, including the Trans-Baikal Territory, Buryatia, Irkutsk Region, and the Krasnoyarsk, Khabarovsk, and Primorsky Territories.
An estimated 11,000 Russians migrate to China annually. According to the 2020 Chinese population census, more than 16,000 Russians were living there at the time. However, expert estimates suggest that the current number may range from 40,000 to 50,000.
Most Russians residing in China settle in major cities with strong labor markets. Approximately 10,000 live in Beijing, 5,000 to 6,000 in Shanghai, and 2,000 to 3,000 in cities such as Harbin, Guangzhou, Urumqi, Hong Kong, and Macau.
In addition to skilled professionals, students and retirees also migrate to China. Some retirees move seasonally but later transition to permanent residence. Those relocating for retirement primarily come from Siberia and the Far East.
The study also notes that over 2,500 individuals of Russian descent live in China, including those from mixed Russian-Chinese families.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video conference on January 21 to discuss their strategic partnership, RIA Novosti reported. Xi expressed readiness to strengthen ties amid external challenges, while Putin emphasized their cooperation as a global stabilizing force. He noted that Russia remains China's top supplier of natural gas and oil.