China and the West

Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Dnevnik pisatelia [ID D37885].
"It is a necessity for Russia to be not only in Europe but also in Asia, because a Russian is not only a European but also an Asian. Moreover, more our hopes may lie in Asia than in Europe. Moreover, in our future destiny Asia is possibly our main outcome. With the turn to Asia, with our new look at it, something similar to what happened to Europe after the discovery of America can happen to us. Because Asia is truly our undiscovered America of that time. With the rush to Asia we'll experience a revival of high spirits and strength. As soon as we become more independent, we'll immediately find out what to do, while during the two centuries with Europe we broke ourselves of any business and became chatterers and sluggards. In Europe we were dependents and slaves, but to Asia we'll come as masters. In Europe we were Tartars, but in Asia we are also Europeans. Our mission, our civilizing mission in Asia will win over our spirit and carry us along, if only we could get started."
Dostoyevsky, Fyodor. Geok Tepé. (1881). "What is the need of the future seizure of Asia? What is our business there? This is necessary because Russia is not only in Europe, but also in Asia; because the Russian is not only a European, but also an Asiatic. Not only that: In our coming destiny, perhaps it is precisely Asia that represents our way out. In Europe we were hangers-on and slaves, whereas to Asia we shall go as masters. In Europe we were Asiatics, whereas in Asia we, too, are Europeans. Our civilizing mission in Asia will bribe our spirit and drive us thither. It is only necessary that the movement should start. Build two railroads: Begin with the one to Siberia, and then to Central Asia, and at once you will see the consequences."