Soviet policy towards China in the context of the Manchurian crisis: from the Manchurian incident to the beginning of the Soviet-Japanese negotiations on the sale of the Chinese Eastern Railway (1931 – 1933)

Abstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of the foreign policy measures of the leadership of the USSR in relation to the Republic of China in the early periods of the Manchurian crisis (1931 - 1933). On the basis of both published sources and archival materials, two main aspects (diplomatic and military) are considered, within the framework of which Soviet-Chinese relations during this period developed from a state of tension to the settlement of at least some of the existing contradictions. It is noted that the Soviet leadership (first of all, I.V. Stalin) from the very beginning of the Manchurian crisis did not consider the situation in China to threaten directly the interests of the USSR and adhered to the tactics of neutrality. It is stated that, nevertheless, Moscow's fears at this stage were connected rather not with the threat from Japan, but with the fear that the incident in China was only the first part of the aggression against the Soviet Union planned by the coalition of bourgeois countries (including China). In this regard, the opinion of researchers is supported, who believe that the Soviet Union during this period did not provide direct military assistance to the Chinese authorities and the armed forces, and until a certain moment also tried to avoid political support for the Kuomintang. However, it is indicated that the Soviet leadership, with the help of intelligence, closely followed the anti-Japanese movement in Manchuria. At the same time, the position of the USSR in relation to China gradually changed due to various factors. Including, for example, in connection with unfriendly, from the point of view of the Soviet elite, actions on the part of Japan.

Keywords: Manchurian crisis, Manchurian incident, Soviet-Chinese relations, internment, non-aggression pact, Republic of China, USSR.

For citation: Filinov A.V. Soviet policy towards China in the context of the Manchurian crisis: from the Manchurian incident to the beginning of the Soviet-Japanese negotiations on the sale of the Chinese Eastern Railway (1931 – 1933). Modern oriental studies. 2021; 3(4):