The paper is devoted to empirical research of representations of Chinese students about the «typical Russian person» and the «typical Chinese person». The participants are Chinese students who take a four year term of studies in the Far Eastern Federal University.

To study the representations of Chinese students used the method of semantic differential, i.e. unipolar 64-bar graph semantic differential developed A.G. Shmelev to assess personal traits. The results were subjected to factor analysis procedures and calculation of semantic universals method by E.Yu. Artemieva and V.P. Serkin. Factor structures were compared with the content and structure of universals. Factor structure of representations of Chinese students about the «typical Russian person» and the «typical Chinese person» were interpreted, defined, and their common and specific features were identified. In this paper, a comparative analysis of structural and content characteristics of semantic universals, i.e. a «typical Russian person» and a «typical Chinese person», are identified.

The research reveals that the factor structure of the estimated features of a «typical Chinese person» and a «typical Russian person» are similar. The group of common factors is reconstructed: evaluation, tact, diplomacy; ease-of hypocrisy (pandering); attractiveness (beauty); activity; perseverance; volitional characteristics; intellectual performance. Summing up, Chinese students mainly used the same criteria for evaluating themselves and Russian people among whom they live and study.The overall view of Chinese students about Russians is positive. This proves their success of their adaptation in Russia. Despite the obvious difficulties Chinese students chose the Far Eastern Federal University for getting higher education and were quite successful to get with Russians, and generally adapt to the Russian culture. They have a positive attitude to Russian, which is a good prerequisite for further personal and working relationships, and also positive attitude to Russia.The results can be applied in the development of adaptation programs of foreign students in the Russian cultural environment and used in further research of semantic representations of expats in Russia.