This study systematically examines the cognitive characteristics of Chinese online public opinion through an analysis of content related to Russia’s wartime economy on Bilibili and Kwai platforms from 2022 to 2025. The research finds that Chinese public discourse has formed a narrative framework centered on “economic resilience,” emphasizing Russia’s anti-fragility achieved through energy and food self-sufficiency, sanctions-stimulated domestic production, and capital repatriation. The perception demonstrates significant historical depth and strategic relevance, revisiting the impact of Soviet industrial legacy on the current economic structure while highlighting the inevitability of Sino-Russian strategic complementarity and the “pivot to the East.” Platform characteristics shape differentiated expressions: Bilibili users tend towards structural analysis reflecting critical thinking, while Kwai content evokes resonance through emotional narratives. The study reveals that discussions about Russia’s economic resilience often transform into reflections on China’s own development model and resilience, making the Russian case an important reference for validating non-Western development paths. This cognitive model reflects not only a rational assessment of geo-economic realities but also a profound self-identity and strategic awareness.