Russia and China are entering a new era of bilateral relations. The optimal model of these relations has not yet acquired distinct outlines. An important role in its formation is played by so-called «soft» factors – views, opinions and preferences – that determine the decisions and behavior of people. This article is devoted to an analysis of how the interacting parties see each other, how much their ideas on goals, optimal strategies and desirable results of cooperative interactions coincide. All this allows us to more adequately assess the current state of affairs and prospects for Russia-Chinа cooperation.