This paper focuses on the characteristics of one of the key types of Taoist tradition - хian , which is usually inaccurately translated as “immortal”. Based on a number of texts of Taoist traditions Lingbao, Shanqing and Quanzhen, the paper shows that the acquisition of the state of xianhood is not connected with physical immortality, but based on the deep transformative and transpersonal experience. The practitioner goes through a series of transformative stages, each of which, depending on the particular school, includes a set of spiritual practices aimed at achieving absolute peace and self-deactualization. Such reincarnation is also accompanied by the acquisition of a bright “light”, getting a “shining spirit”, immersion into a “deep dream” that is associated with a strong insight experience. In some cases, it could be regarded as the self-rebirth in the true form (the state of the “true man”): passing through the stage of “dying of the previous body” and rebirth in the new one, as well as going to the “distant wanderings”, which typologically can be defined as a special type of rites of passage and passing through a system of consecrated rituals.

Based on Chinese written sources and the authors' research field materials, the paper analyzes features of Taoist Bud-dhist practices using incense, as well as the purport of the 24 combinations that arise during fortune telling using three incense sticks - a practice used in rituals dating back to the early Middle Ages which still occupies a prominent place among China's religious practices today. The techniques that are concurrently characteristic of Buddhist practices, Taoist services as well as traditional folk be-liefs hold a prominent place during the ritual. General terminology is primarily used in the comments supplementing the rituals in the original sources. These religious rituals involve ancient representations of Heaven as a “source of moral definitions” which reacts to human deeds through various signs, the teachings of the all-encompassing Qi as the energy of the universe and its numerological embodiment, worldview ideas including ancient Taoist beliefs and practices related to the cult of ancestors as well as worship of Heaven and various spirits, and basic Buddhist postu-lates of rebirth, karma and retribution for committed acts. Conducting fortune telling rituals using incense naturally embodied folk beliefs, which was instrumental in the ongoing teachings of morality to many generations across almost two millennia. Tables and comments on the 24 fortune telling combinations are published in Russian for the first time.

This article presents an analysis of the historical role of Nestorian Christianity in China. Also, it considers new ar-chaeological and epigraphic materials from the Nestorian burial grounds of the Yuan dynasty (the territory of the modern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region). Despite some interest in spreading the teachings of the “Syrian Church” in Central and East Asia (the most famous example is the famous book “In Search of a Fictional Kingdom” by Gumilev L. N.) Russian science lacks publications related to the tangible Nestorians heritage located in the territo-ry of modern China during its heyday (the Tang and Yuan dynasties). This paper is partially dedicated to partially fill-ing this gap introducing brief data on the Wangmulian, Aolunsumu and Muhuerso-Buerga burial grounds. In addition, the authors paid attention to the interesting set of terms that the Chinese used in relation to the new religion.

The article conducts a re-evaluation of values of Chinese socialist realism using Zhang Wei's novel “Ancient Ship” (1986) as an example. The novel’s key characters are analyzed in detail, while taking into consideration the values and semantic structures of earlier Chinese novels, the so-called “Red classics” of the 1950s. The narrative’s land reform taking place in rural China is used as a significant example of the re-evaluation of socialist realism’s values and their direction, in comparison with Ding Ling’s “The Sun Shines over the Sanggan River” (1948). Using specific examples, the article reveals that the main directions of the re-evaluation of socialist realism’s values are the author’s critique of the so-called “revolutionary history”, which is demonstrated as being inseparable from violence, chaos, and pursu-ing personal and clan interests. Zhang Wei achieves this through a series of narrative and descriptive creative strate-gies. The findings presented in the article are aimed at demonstrating that the “revolutionary history” is not only an important topic in contemporary Chinese literature, but also serves as a way for writers to deal with “revolutionary history” changes alongside new developments in Chinese literature.

The paper discusses the question of existence of hereditary aristocracy in the ancient Chinese state of Qin during the period of 4th - 3rd BC, as well as the question of its role in the domestic political process. The paper shows the dynam-ic of political change on the materials of received sources as well as on that of the paleographic texts. It also shows that the traditional perception of Shang Yang’s reforms is false. This perception is based on the sources, composed largely during the Han era, which predetermined their bias towards the history of Qin. Based on these sources the re-search to date usually depicts the reforms of Shang Yang as an act of dismantling the order based on hereditary aris-tocracy and transforming Qin into a bureaucratic state, divided uniformly into counties and commanderies. However the reality, as shown in the sources contradicts this view, as the hereditary aristocracy after the reforms of Shang Yang neither ceased to exist, nor lost the decisive grip over the political process in the state of Qin. The research shows a dependence of the power transition stability and the ability of the hereditary aristocracy to align with the monarch and also shows that the process of imperial formation put this model of stability in jeopardy. It has also become clear that the very process of reproducing conflict between the aristocratic and bureaucratic groups within Qin’s elites was driven by the changing interest of the monarch, who, in his different period of reign aimed at different goals, thus be-ing the variable that propelled the political change within a framework of constants. This change led inevitably to the transformation of connection between the ruler and the hereditary aristocracy, the initial type of which being that of a hereditary lineage system of ties, and the final being that of an imperial state system, where the groups of heredi-tary aristocracy within the imperial court no longer needed to have kinship with the ruler, but played the role of agents for the local elites, influencing imperial politics.

This paper explores features of the visual images and descriptions of the inhabitants of four European states (Sweden, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland), found in “Huang Qing Zhi Gong Tu” (“Tributaries of the ruling Qing dynasty”) - a Chinese historical and ethnographic book compiled by Fu Heng in the middle of the 18th century. The book is stored in the collection of rare Oriental books at St. Petersburg State University. Eight xylographic illustra-tions of the inhabitants of the European states are selected and analyzed. The attached explanatory texts are also trans-lated. They contain information about the geographical location of the countries mentioned, as well as the history of their contacts with China and some notes about the inhabitants of these countries, including an anthropological por-trait, a description of costumes, customs, occupations and so on. The interpretation is carried out in accordance with the principles of scientific translation used by academician Vasiliy M. Alekseev (1881-1951). In case of need the translations are supplemented with textological, historiographic and culturological commentaries. An analysis of the drawings and texts aids in recreating the picture of the perception by the Chinese of the mid-18th century of the four European states. The archaic names of countries and peoples used by compilers are analyzed. Misconceptions and stereotypes of Chinese compilers are revealed. Attempts are being made to explain their possible origins. The author of the paper found out that the compilers sometimes relied upon a method of explanation of the phenomena unknown to the Chinese by rethinking similar facts from the history and culture of China.

The paper studies connections between the illustrated lithographic edition of Pu Songling’s 蒲松齡 (1640-1715) “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio with annotations, poems, and illustrations” (詳註聊齋誌異圖詠 Xiangzhu liaozhai zhiyi tuyong , 1886), a collection of illustrations by Shanghai publishing house Tongwenshuju 同文書局 and several popular woodblock prints 年畫 nianhua found in Russian collections (Peter the Great Museum of Ethnogra-phy and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, State Hermitage, Geographic Society) in order to learn how Pu Songling’s stories circulated in the society of late Qing China, and the perception of literature written in clas-sical language by the wider public. The conclusions are that the aforementioned illustrated lithographic edition may have prompted creation of woodblock prints based on Pu Songling’s stories, where nianhua artists borrowed poetic inscriptions and composition of the lithographic illustrations. The small amount of such prints in comparison with those illustrating classical Ming-Qing novels such as Romance of The Three Kingdoms 三國演義, Journey to the West 西遊記, Dream of the Red Chamber 紅樓夢 allows to suggest that novels remained the favourite among the literati, while illiterate consumers of popular prints could appreciate their auspicious meaning more than the story. The fact that majority of the discovered nianhua pictures were produced at the oldest and largest printing shops in Yangliqing 楊柳青 - Dai lianzeng 戴廉增 and Qi jianlong 齊健隆 famous for their fine artistic quality proves that their custom-er base was mostly comprised of wealthier and more literate public.

It is impossible to dispute the fact that China has had an enormous influence on the culture of the entire Korean Penin-sula. The writing system, the thoughts of Chinese philosophers, paper, the xylography method and the idea of a mova-ble type - all this came to the peninsula long before the founding of the Joseon State. China was not only the overlord of Joseon, but also a kind of cultural donor. Of course, under such conditions, the Joseon authorities considered contacts with this region as the most important area of foreign policy and trade. In addi-tion, a significant part of various kinds of literature - from Confucian writings to treatises on medicine was acquired in China for further circulation in Joseon. Due to the constant need for official and commercial communication between states, it was impossible to go without knowledge of a spoken language. For this purpose, the textbook titled “Nogeoldae” (lit. “Elder brother from China”) was created. Using the Goryeo merchant’s trip to China (in later editions this became the Joseon merchant) as the key example, the main situations accompanying such trips were examined in the form of dialogues. With the help of this manual it was possible to learn the phrases necessary for communication in the courtyard, conducting trade negotia-tions, participating in banquets, communicating with a doctor, and so on. The exceptional practical benefit ensured that this manual underwent several systematic reprints, as well as translation into Manchurian, Mongolian and Japa-nese languages. “Nogeoldae” is a unique written source on the history of the development of both the northern dialect of the Chinese language and Korean in the late Middle Ages and Early Modern times.

The article represents petroglyphs of Macau (Aomen). This site with engravings was lost and gone forever (because of industrial pollution), but we have some copies and descriptions of it. Though it was quiet restricted in dimensions, but contained not only interlacement of lines and geometric figures, but also images of two big boats as well, with quiet developed construction: with upper deck, long bowsprit and, possibly, with portable mast. The same ships but engraved more clearly one can see in petroglyphs of Zhuhai at the site with rock-art closest to Macau. These ships seem to have some additional details such as side ports, helm and anchor. These observations confirm a high level in shipbuilding and navigation among peoples of Wu and Yue kingdoms known to us due to historical records. For petroglyphs of Eastern and Southern China we have another figurative line in order to compare with, i. e. engravings on bronze implements and, first of all, bronze drums. The war-boats engraved on drums have some similarities in con-struction with boats engraved on rocky surface. Due to these resemblance petroglyphs of Macau (and Zhuhai) could be attributed to Dongson-Dian civilization because bronze drums served as indicator for this super unity. On the basis of this resemblance we can previously date petroglyphs of Macau with the last ages BC or the first ages AD. The crea-tors of rock-art galleries in the region of Zhujiang River estuary were very probably connected with migration of one of the Boyue tribes.

The article discusses the security problems of the Central Asian region, closely related to the ongoing war in Afghani-stan. The author sets out his understanding of the term “state security”, which includes the problems of the armed forces and security agencies, primarily responsible for the fight against terrorism and separatism. However, there is al-so an understanding of the current state of the economy, interethnic relations, the preservation of natural resources, and the balance of interests in international relations. In particular, an assessment is given of the mutual relations be-tween the countries of Central Asia and China in connection with the implementation of the project “One belt - one way”. The situation in the region is characterized by a high degree of tension in neighboring Afghanistan, where armed conflicts continue between various local opposing forces, as well as American troops and the Taliban. Fighting in Afghanistan is an immediate threat to neighboring Central Asian states. In connection with the dangerous insecurity in Afghanistan, which negatively affects the situation in the entire Central Asian region, it is necessary to note the pos-itive role of the Chinese leadership in its attempts to contribute to the settlement of the conflict. Beijing, interested in implementing its various infrastructure projects, provides its own platform for meetings between representatives of the warring parties, promoting mutual understanding.

The Confucius Institute at Novosibirsk State University focused on connotation construction, strengthened teaching management, and improved teaching level in its 2019 work. This year, the Confucius Institute successfully completed the established teaching tasks, successfully held various cultural activities, strengthened exchanges between Novosi-birsk State University and Xinjiang Univeristy, and expanded foreign exchanges. In the future, the Confucius Institute will continue to work hard to coordinate all aspects of its work, improve quality and efficiency, and further enhance the influence of the Institute in the region.

The proposed review analyzes the recently released four volumes of the Russian translation of the mysterious medie-val Chinese novel “Chin Ping Mei” (in Russian, “The Plum in the Golden Vase”). The lengthy story written as a semi-erotic romance, can be compared with the best editions of “Arabian Nights” (in Russian, “A Book of A Thousand and One Nights”). The impressive edition depicts the life story of a lustful Chinese merchant who has devoted himself to spending his days among his wives, concubines and other “divas of amusement”. The profound publication includes a great amount of comments, remarks, scientific articles and original engravings. The new, impressively expanded (compared with the first 1977 edition in 2 volumes) scientific publication was prepared by several generations of Rus-sian scholars in the field of Chinese studies. The editor-in-chief and supervisor of the project Artyom Kobzev (Mos-cow Institute for Oriental Studies) has provided a brilliant edition, having created an opportunity for a wider audience to become acquainted with a unique and educational history of ancient China.

The review assesses the recently published book by V. T. Golovachev, dedicated to the ethnographic expedition of Russian naval officer and researcher Paul (Pavel Ivanovich) Ibis to Taiwan in early 1875. This expedition laid the foundation for scientific study of the material and spiritual culture of the island natives, from the Paleolithic era to ethnographical time. A thorough study of the book was conducted, as it contains all currently available archival and published materials. As a result of the work of V. T. Golovachev, Russia's priority in the study of Taiwan's ethnology can be considered conclusively proven.

A report on the scientific journey to the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region of the PRC in July 2019 is presented. Dur-ing the journey the authors consulted Chinese rock art specialists, visited the Historical Museum of the Ningxia Prov-ince, Museum of Western Xia (Xi Xia), Helankou Rock Art Museum and the Helankou and Damaidi rock art sites in Helan and Zhongwei counties of the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region. Brief descriptions of the rock art sites and mu-seum collections are given.

The review contains information about the performances of employees of the Department of Oriental Studies of the Institute for Humanities of Novosibirsk State University and the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the SB RAS at international conferences, during which they also visited several important historical museums in northeast China. The review also touches on the famous Lamaist complexes of Inner Mongolia - Dalelinsi and Wudanzhao, the Hamin Archaeological Park with Neolithic burials, the Museum of Inner Mongolia in Baotou with its ethnographic collections, archaeological and historical materials from the Neolithic and Han eras to the New Age, as well as the Dafu Private Museum in Chaoyang (Liaoning Province), where the main local cultures of the Neolithic and Paleometal era are represented, many of which have been given the status of national Cultural Heritage of various levels.

The scientific and practical Conference on China and countries along the Silk Road development issues in the past and modern days. The Conference is held annually in the ‘NSU Confucius Institute / Class’ and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS joint project framework. In 2019, among participants were experts and professors from Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Omsk, Almaty, Nanjing, Urumqi.

A report on the X International scientific conference “Ancient Cultures of Mongolia, Baikal Siberia and Northern China” held in Beijing by the People’s University of China (Zhongguo Renmin Daxue) from October 19 to October 22 2019 is presented. Brief descriptions of the papers presented are given.