Recently, there have been signs of warming relations between the United States and Russia, and as a result, Russia’s propaganda tone has started to change. Beijing, previously hailed as a “cooperation without limits” partner, has suddenly become the target of sharp criticism and denunciation by Russian experts on national television.
Alexander Losev, a member of the Russian Foreign Affairs and Defense Policy Council, recently made rare and harsh criticisms of Beijing on Russian Public Television (ORT). He expressed his sharp disapproval of Russia celebrating the Chinese lunar New Year, stating, “It is unacceptable for us to celebrate China’s New Year when countless Chinese (Communist) drones are slaughtering our soldiers, with the blood of Russian soldiers staining the red lanterns of the Chinese New Year.”
On January 31, 2025, Losev expressed his disappointment on a program called “Reflection” to Russian viewers, saying, “What disappoints me greatly is that Russia is still celebrating China’s lunar New Year.” When the host interjected, “But it does look quite pretty, doesn’t it?” Losev responded, “Let’s take a look. Is it appropriate to exaggerate the celebration of a foreign holiday during special military operations?”
He pointed out, “Some say it is cultural exchange between Russia and China, but do you know? The vast majority of the Ukrainian armed forces’ drones are Chinese. Thousands of Chinese drones are slaughtering our soldiers and civilians. Is this considered cultural exchange? Are we exchanging in industrial products? Which is more important, the blood of Russian soldiers or celebrating the Chinese lunar New Year? Is this humane for the soldiers killed by Chinese drones?”
Losev, an economist himself, is a popular expert who frequently appears on major Russian television and other media outlets to interpret global and Russian economic issues and offer commentary.
Clearly, there is deep resentment towards Beijing in Moscow’s financial sphere as well. Losev mentioned that, “Chinese people block our bank payments and transfers for months. They refuse to provide equipment for the Arctic LNG-2 project, unilaterally tearing up contracts and causing the project to collapse. They also refuse to buy our oil out of fear of sanctions… and yet, we are celebrating Chinese holidays. This raises a question: Is Russia still a sovereign state? When did we start attaching so much importance to these things from China?”
He questioned further, “Have we become a vassal? Have we become a county of China? Or are we still a sovereign state with our own culture and holidays? Or are we to accommodate millions of Chinese living in Russia who insist on celebrating the lunar New Year and establishing Chinatowns?”
When the host mentioned the need for cultural exchange due to China’s economic development, Losev rebutted, stating that the current so-called Chinese culture is merely a consumer culture focused solely on physiological needs.
He explained, “Why does it seem like China is progressing? Because it is now entirely driven by consumerism, with no God. China no longer believes in God. People there only know eating, drinking, and sex, and that’s enough. It’s a culture solely focused on immediate benefits.”
While acknowledging the ancient cultural heritage of China, he noted that these ancient values have been completely abandoned today. He said, “China’s ancient philosophical wisdom is only occasionally mentioned now, mere lip service with no practical application. Works like the ‘Tao Te Ching’ and ‘Zhuangzi’ are just talked about but not put into practice anymore.”
Losev’s sharp critique of the Chinese Communist Party, as opposed to the mainstream Russian media’s overwhelmingly pro-China propaganda, has sparked attention from various parties, and Moscow’s swift change in attitude towards Beijing and the harsh rhetoric have been shocking to many observers.
Russian Public Television (ORT) is a federal-level public television station reaching 99.8% of the Russian population. Founded on the initiative of Prime Minister Medvedev in 2012, the station officially began broadcasting on November 1 of the same year. Among its many programs, Losev’s appearance on the influential “Reflection” program stands out.
According to available information, the Russian Foreign Affairs and Defense Policy Council, where Losev is a member, was established in Moscow on February 25, 1992, with the aim of promoting the development of Russia’s strategic vision, foreign and defense policies, and fostering the formation of Russian national civil society.