This is a list of ambassadors appointed by the Chinese government to represent it to the Soviet and Russian governments. Since China sent its first representative to Russia in 1878 under the Qing Dynasty, the government of both countries have changed multiple times through revolution, collapse of the previous state and civil war. This list does not include representatives of the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, to Russia after its official relations with the Soviet Union ended on October 2, 1949.
The current iteration of the post is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation. Zhang Hanhui has held the post of Chinese ambassador to Russia since he presented his letter of credence to Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 5, 2020.
The Qing Empire began to send an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia in 1878. Chonghou, the first envoy, left Russia for China without permission and was replaced by Shao Yu-lien, who was consul at the Chinese embassy in Russia. On February 17, 1902, Yang Yu became the only Qing envoy to Russia to have died in office. China appointed Luo Fenglu to become its envoy on August 29, 1901, but the appointment was rejected by Russia.
The Republic of China was established in 1912. The Russian Empire recognized the Republic of China on October 6, 1913, and the Lou Tseng-tsiang continued his role as the envoy to Russia for the new republic. After the October Revolution, China's mission to Russia was withdrawn in February 1918, and diplomatic relations were halted.
Under the Beiyang government, China established a representative office in the Soviet Union in October 1923. On May 31, 1924, diplomatic relations were restored.
The Chinese foreign ministry declared recognized the Russian Federation on December 27, 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union two days before. Wang Jinqing, who had been Ambassador to the Soviet Union, was appointed the first Chinese ambassador to post-Soviet Russia.