Abstract: Residents' helping behavior towards tourists plays an important role in the civilization and prosperity of rural tourism destinations. This study proposed three dimensions of power perception based on Chinese cultural background. Based on cognitive evaluation theory and social distance theory of power, emotional solidarity and social distance, which reflect the quality of the relationship between residents and tourists, are used as mediating variables to construct a mediating model of the power perception of rural tourism residents on helping behavior. The research results indicate that: (1) Under the Chinese cultural background, residents' sense of power includes three dimensions: sense of control, autonomy, and responsibility; (2) Residents' sense of control and autonomy significantly positively affects their helping behavior; (3) Emotional solidarity plays a mediating role between residents' sense of control, autonomy, and responsibility and their helping behavior, while social distance plays a mediating role between residents' sense of control, responsibility, and their helping behavior; (4) Residents' sense of control and autonomy can have an impact on their helping behavior through the chain mediating effect of emotional solidarity and social distance. The research results provide theoretical support and practical inspiration for guiding and managing residents' helping behavior in rural tourism destinations.

Key words: sense of power, social distance, emotional solidarity, residents' helping behavior, rural tourism