Contractive Study Of Contemporary Chinese And Russian Historiography On The Theme Of Catherine Ⅱ’s Foreign Policy

Catherine Ⅱ is one of the greatest rulers in Russian history. Under her authorities, the westernize policies proposed by Peter I was carried on, and Russian got on its way to become one of the strongest nations in Europe during the second half of the 18th century. She is talked highly about her outstanding insight in foreign policies. Scholars and researchers have never stopped studying into her active diplomatic policies. Catherine Ⅱ’s foreign policy has always been one of the most fascinating subjects among researchers all over the world.This article compares and contrasts both Chinese and Russian literatures pertaining Catherine Ⅱ’s foreign policies, focusing specifically on the differences in researches between countries on such topic chronologically. The article is in order to provide some helpful insights and inspiring points of view for future studies on this topic.Undeniably Russian researchers stand on bigger priorities on this subject. There are two eras in literatures and studies of Catherine Ⅱ:the Soviet Union era and the post-Soviet Union era. Among the literatures during the Soviet Union era, not only are they low in quantity and the majority of them are short in content. In general, literatures from Soviet Union era are poorly structured, and they are not clear on their points of views. Catherine Ⅱ appeared to be criticized lopsided among researches during Soviet Union era. After the dissolution of Soviet Union, more new first-handed materials and literatures appeared with the fading-away of old time ideologies, and that pushes up new criticizes and points of views. In general, scholars in post-Soviet Union era tend to credit more Catherine II’s act in foreign policies. The mainstream of views become rather positive through time.Studies and researches on Catherine II from China are relatively weaker. In general, Chinese scholars hold points of view that show stronger repeatability and hysteresis compared to Russian scholars. Although similar to Russian studies, one can also set them into three eras among Chinese studies:from 1949 to the end of 50s, 60-70s of the 20th century, from 80s of the 20th century up to now. Chinese scholars carry on the need of inheritance contributing the development of history, as well as China’s society’s development.Scholars tend to focus on the politicized business intercourses and cultural communication when looking specifically at Sino-Russian relationship during the second half of 18th century. Scholars from both countries did their research mostly based on materials written in their own first language tending to be protective of their own country’s image. However, because of the complicate relationship of all parties and the lack of first handed materials, scholars from China and Russia sometimes tend to hold contradictory opinions, which leave later scholars difficulties in getting opinions that are acceptable to all. Although it is understandable that each scholar has his or her own focus, and reads and analyzes events according to his or her own theory and ideology, it is still the base principle of all academics to look and understand facts subjectively and emotionlessly. It not only has significant value academically, but also contributes to China and Russia’s diplomatic relationship.Comparing to Russian scholars, scholars from China is far behind on many subject related to Catherine Ⅱ, such as topics on Russo-Turkish war, partition of Poland and Russia’s react to the French Revolution. Russian scholars have done a good job in looking for arguments that protect their own country’s image.