The concept of 邻国 (línguó) holds immense importance for China, far more than for a country like the United States. While the U.S. has only two land neighbors (Canada and Mexico) and is protected by vast oceans, China shares land borders with 14 different countries, one of the highest numbers in the world. This geographic reality has shaped Chinese history, foreign policy, and cultural consciousness. Historically, relationships with neighboring states were often managed through a tributary system, with China as the “Middle Kingdom” (中国). Today, these relationships are framed within the modern concept of nation-state diplomacy, but the sheer number of borders means that maintaining stability and good relations with its 邻国 is a top priority for the Chinese government. A famous Chinese proverb, “远亲不如近邻” (yuǎnqīn bùrú jìnlín), means “a distant relative is not as good as a near neighbor.” While this typically applies to personal relationships, it's often extended metaphorically to international relations, emphasizing the practical importance of having peaceful and cooperative 邻国. This underpins initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, which heavily involves China's neighbors.
邻国 (línguó) is a common and standard term used across various contexts.
The term itself is neutral, but it is almost always modified by adjectives that reveal the nature of the relationship, such as “友好邻国 (yǒuhǎo línguó)” for a “friendly neighboring country” or describing a relationship with a 邻国 as “紧张 (jǐnzhāng)” (tense).