The Russian factor: emotions, narratives and reshaping China's norms in international conflicts.

This article examines how Russia, despite its relatively weaker position, has exerted a continuous and resilient influence on China's normative approach to international conflicts, including those in Syria and Ukraine. It proposes a theoretical framework linking the affective turn and norm studies in International Relations, conceptualizing shared political emotions as the foundation for persuasive narratives that maintain solidarity and induce normative changes. Drawing on primary Chinese and Russian sources and process tracing, the article argues that China's alignment with Russia stems not only from geopolitical interests but also from shared feelings of isolation and marginalization, which Russian actors have exploited through three types of narratives—continuity, analogy, and identification—to foster emotional resonance and reshape China's norms on sovereignty and territorial integrity. The study highlights the role of emotion diplomacy and institutional channels, such as high-level diplomatic exchanges and coordinated media campaigns, in sustaining this alignment, while also noting limits to Russian influence when fundamental Chinese national interests are challenged.