A new survey has found that more than 80 percent of young people in China and Russia consider the relationship between the two countries to be friendly, highlighting a solid public opinion foundation for enduring friendship.

Released on Friday at Renmin University of China, the findings noted that 87.5 percent of Russian youth and 85.5 percent of Chinese youth view China-Russia relations as friendly.

Young people in both nations hold positive views of bilateral ties, generally favorable perceptions of each other's national image, and broad optimism about future cooperation, the report said. Friendship and cooperation have become the prevailing understanding of China-Russia relations among the two countries' youth, it added.

The survey showed that 78 percent of Russian youth and 76.4 percent of Chinese youth have a positive impression of each country. When asked about prospects for China-Russia cooperation, 77.7 percent of Russian youth and 73.7 percent of Chinese youth said they are optimistic.

Strong cultural interest was also evident. Russian youth expressed particular interest in Chinese traditions and festivals, cuisine and architecture, while Chinese youth paid close attention to Russian architecture, literature and music. On language learning, 75.5 percent of Chinese youth and 52.8 percent of Russian youth said they are willing to learn or improve their proficiency in the other country's language. The report said cultural interest and language learning are becoming important entry points for deepening mutual understanding.

Additionally, interest in future travel is high. About 89 percent of Russian youth said they would like to visit China in the future, while about 86 percent of Chinese youth said they would like to visit Russia.

However, direct exchanges still have room to grow. Some 72.9 percent of Russian youth and 53.8 percent of Chinese youth said they do not have friends, acquaintances or classmates from the other country. The report called for further expanding student exchange programs, joint cultural activities and youth visits, while improving travel and visa facilitation, so that more young people can deepen understanding and build friendships through face-to-face exchanges.

Digital platforms are becoming an important window for learning about each other. The survey found that 87.6 percent of Russian youth and 60.6 percent of Chinese youth believe digital platforms have a major or far-reaching impact on national image. The report recommended increasing high-quality digital content for young audiences in areas such as culture, tourism, education, science and technology, to better tell the story of China-Russia friendship.

Zhou Yong, director of the Global Opinion Research Center at the university and dean of its School of Journalism and Communication, said: "Young people are an important force in sustaining China-Russia friendship from generation to generation. Promoting mutual understanding and closer ties among young people, and strengthening educational and cultural exchanges, are of great significance for consolidating the social and public-opinion foundation of relations between the two countries."

Zhou added that, amid a youth development environment shaped by globalization, digitalization and platform-based communication, China-Russia youth exchanges should emphasize not only educational cooperation, student visits and cultural activities, but also content supply and narrative expression in the digital space.

The survey was jointly conducted by the Chinese and Russian sides of the Council of Education under the China-Russia Friendship Committee for Peace and Development on the occasion of the launch of the "China-Russia Year of Education". It was carried out from late April to early May 2026 by the Global Opinion Research Center at Renmin University of China and a Russian partner organization, using an online survey of young people aged 18 to 35 in China and Russia.