The ethnic Russians in China live in Ili, Tacheng, Altay, Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with a small population of 13,504 (by 1990).
The Russians use their own language (Russian) and written script, which belongs to the Slavic group of the Indo-European language family, when they communicate with each other. They also use the Chinese language and script in their social or official activities.
They began moving to China from Tsarist Russia after the 18th century. More entered various parts of Xinjiang after the 19th century. Later during the 20th century, more people moved into this region (today's Xinjiang Autonomous Region), especially after the October Revolution in 1917. These immigrants were called "Guihua people" and their villages "Guihua village". With the founding of the PRC in 1949, they were renamed Russian ethnic minority.
Before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Russians living in towns were mostly employed in various repairing businesses, transportation, handicrafts, horticulture, animal husbandry and bee-keeping. In rural areas, groups of several Russian families lived together in small villages. Their customs, clothing and festivals are almost identical to those of the Russians in Russia.
Most Russians believe in the Orthodox Eastern Church. The most important festivals of the Russian people include the Easter and Christmas Day.
Balalaika, otherwise known as the Triangular Guitar (thus called because of its triangular resonating box), is a plucked string Russian instrument. Its strings can produce musical notes clear and melodious of four scales, belonging to soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Balalaika playing often goes with mandolin, guitar and accordion.
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