Between Cooperation and Competition: Trade and Economic Relations between the PRC and the FRG

The present article is dedicated to the study of trade and economic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Germany, which play a key role both in bilateral and global contexts. Cooperation between these two countries has developed over the past few decades amid deepening globalization and intensifying competition among world powers. China, as the largest economy in the world, is interested in access to technology, investments, and the European market, while Germany, as a leading power in the European Union, sees China as a key partner for exports, investments, and the development of high-tech industries. The article analyzes the key stages in the development of Sino-German relations, the legal framework for interaction, the dynamics of trade and investment cooperation, as well as the emerging contradictions associated with political and economic challenges. The study employs historical and comparative analysis, systemic and structural-functional approaches, allowing for the identification of features and trends in the evolution of bilateral cooperation. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive examination of the trade and economic links between the PRC and the FRG in the context of global transformations, including the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in international trade strategies, and the increasing influence of political factors in economic relations. The article shows that cooperation between China and Germany is mutually beneficial and pragmatic, yet accompanied by contradictions related to supply dependency, the protection of strategic industries, and the influence of external actors, including the United States and EU institutions. It concludes that Sino-German relations represent an important element in the formation of a multipolar world while reflecting the complexity of balancing economic interests with political principles. In the long run, the sustainability and development of this cooperation will depend on the ability of both parties to adapt to the challenges of the international environment and to develop mechanisms for long-term partnership.