Representation of Chinese Technology Companies in Russian Business Media

This research delves into how Chinese technology firms are portrayed in Russian business media and tracks the evolution of this portrayal over time. In light of the designation of 2020-2021 as the Years of Science and Innovation by the leaders of Russia and China, and against the backdrop of increasingly close technological collaboration between the two nations, it becomes critical to examine the nature of the discourse surrounding Chinese IT companies in Russian business publications. Employing content and frame analysis methodologies, this study conducted a comprehensive examination of articles featuring Chinese technology companies in "Kommersant" and "Vedomosti" during the period from 2019 to 2023, with a particular focus on the media narratives surrounding leading Chinese IT firms. The research findings reveal a marked uptick in the volume of articles focused on Chinese technology entities, indicative of a heightened Russian engagement with and interest in China's technological progression. The scope of Russian media coverage is not confined to prominent, large-scale Chinese corporations; it also encompasses a diverse range of smaller, innovative enterprises, signaling an all-encompassing interest in China's tech industry. Such extensive coverage reflects the growing prominence of Chinese IT firms within the Russian business milieu and the broad interest of the Russian public in the technological innovations originating from China. Additionally, the insights derived from this study provide strategic recommendations for enhancing the image of Chinese technology companies within the Russian marketplace. These findings lay the groundwork for future inquiries into media representations of the Sino-Russian technological alliance, potentially informing strategies to further strengthen bilateral technological ties.