MOSCOW, June 16, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how Russians evaluate China-Russia relations, what changes in Russia-China relations they forecast,  and which of these two countries benefits most from bilateral economic cooperation.

As before, Russians consider Russia-China relations as being normal and quiet (39-40% during 2005-2009). More than third part of respondents (34%) gives positive assessments: 17% think that Russia-China interaction is friendly; the same share of Russians assess Russian-Chinese relations as being good-neighborly. Only 16% have negative evaluations: 10% think that the relations between these two countries are cool; other 5% mention tensions; and 1% - hostile. Compared to 2007, the data have changed within the statistical error.

Most of respondents who consider China-Russia relations friendly and good-neighborly are Southerners (45%), supporters of Democrats (44%) and "United Russia" party (40%). The Urals residents (53%) and "Fair Russia" party supporters (47%) tend to assess Russia-China interaction as normal and quiet. And finally, negative assessment is often given by Siberians (20%) and LDPR electorate (33%).

In general, Russians have not changed their attitudes towards China. The relative majority of respondents have not changed their attitudes regarding China over the recent decade (43%); the share of such respondents prevails over the recent years (from 38% to 45%). Most of them are Southerners (52%) and CPRF supporters (50%). The share of those whose attitudes towards China have improved is bigger than the share of those whose attitudes have worsened (24% against 10%). The former are mainly Far East residents (30%) and Democrats supporters (50%); the latter are basically Siberians (18%) and LDPR supporters (18%). And finally, 15% report they are not interested in China at all (the share of such respondents has declined by 5% since 2007).

Russians increasingly treat China as economic partner of Russia. Russians still perceive China as Russia's strategic and economic partner; the share of such respondents has increased (from 34% to 41%). This point of view is mainly shared by supporters of such parties as "Fair Russia" and "United Russia" (44% and 42% respectively). Every fifth (19%) regard China as friendly and union state. They are basically supporters of Democrats, CPRF and "United Russia" parties (21-22%). 24% report China is Russia's competitor; most of them are Democrats supporters (39%); other 4% are confident that China is a hostile nation.

More than half of Russians have positive forecast in Russia-China relations (47%): 20% see China as ally, other 27% - as close partner of Russia. Most of them are Democrats supporters (56%) and Russians with secondary special and higher level of education (48-49%). On the contrary, 29% have negative expectations: 24% predict China would become a dangerous partner for Russia, and 5% say rival. Most of such respondents are LDPR adherents (43%) and respondents with higher education diplomas (31%). Nevertheless, 24% were undecided.

Russians think that it is China rather than Russia that will benefit from bilateral economic cooperation (40% against 7%). Thirty-seven percent are confident that both countries will have benefits, while 16% were undecided. LDPR party supporters tend to think that China will benefit first (62% and 44% respectively). Democrats and "United Russia" supporters often mention both countries (44% and 45% respectively). 

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on June 6-7, 2009. 

1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,

the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!