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Abstract: The article studies the specificity of the process of forming new cultural identity by means of the Russian language among Chinese students studying in Russian higher education institutions. The article is aimed at showing the opportunities of the Russian language to form foreign students' new cultural identity. In the process of studying, a foreign student's personality experiences profound changes that influence an individual's self-identification with ideas, values and forms of culture. Self-identification like this is scientifically defined through the concept of «identity». The identity is regarded as a structure that gives a person a sensation of purpose and conciseness of their own life and assurance of other people’s approval. A human being realizes their own identity through considering themselves with the help of the language adopted in the process of social interaction. The research was conducted in order to find indications of new cultural identity formations among fourth-year Chinese students. The analysis of students’ interviews allows us to draw conclusions that, by the end of the course of study, most of the students from PRC show evidence of new cultural identity, such as mastery of the Russian language as their future profession language, acquaintance with Russia's landmarks and holidays and Russian codes of contact. The survey results can be used for training foreign students in higher education institutions.