Theoretical and Methodological Foundations for Facilitating Bilateral Trade between Russia and China amidst the Transformation of the Global Economy

The objective of the study is to provide a theoretical and methodological substantiation of the concept of mutual trade facilitation and to develop adapted approaches to assessing its effectiveness in the context of Russian-Chinese economic relations. The research is based on general scientific methodology, including systemic, institutional and comparative analysis. The theoretical framework includes classical and modern theories of international trade, works of Russian and foreign scholars, documents of international organizations (WTO, World Bank, OECD, UNCTAD), as well as strategic documents of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China. The economic content of the category “mutual trade facilitation” is clarified, and the author's definition is proposed in relation to Russian-Chinese cooperation. Institutional, infrastructural, financial and economic instruments of trade facilitation at the interstate, national and corporate levels are identified and systematized. A multi-level methodological approach to assessing the effectiveness of trade facilitation has been developed, taking into account macroeconomic dynamics, the quality of institutions, the state of infrastructure and financial mechanisms. Using the example of Russian-Chinese trade, key infrastructure constraints (capacity of border crossings, workload of the Eastern polygon of Russian Railways) and financial challenges (transformation of settlement mechanisms) are identified. An author's definition of the category "bilateral trade facilitation" is proposed, adapted to the conditions of the strategic partnership between the Russia and China, taking into account sanctions restrictions and the asymmetry of economic potentials. Unlike existing interpretations, it includes infrastructural and financial components as equivalent to institutional ones, emphasizes the sustainability of payment mechanisms, and establishes the multi-level nature of the measures. An original two-level system of indicators for assessing the effectiveness of trade facilitation has been developed and theoretically substantiated. It combines universal indicators from international organizations and specialized indicators reflecting the specifics of Russian-Chinese cooperation (including indicators of Eastern Polygon utilization, the share of settlements in national currencies, and the sanctions resilience of payment channels). A method of profile analysis is proposed for an integrated assessment of the effectiveness of trade facilitation measures under conditions of geo-economic instability. The methodology was tested using data from 2022–2025, confirming its viability. The findings form a theoretical and methodological basis for empirical analysis of the effectiveness of bilateral trade facilitation and can be used by public authorities in developing trade policy measures, as well as by companies involved in foreign economic activity. The necessity of adapting universal concepts of trade facilitation to the conditions of the bilateral strategic partnership between Russia and China is substantiated. The proposed approach makes it possible to take into account the impact of sanctions restrictions, the asymmetry of economic potentials and the specifics of state regulation.