The Polish government has decided to close multiple railway freight ports on its border with Belarus. This move directly led to a severe blockage of the China-Europe freight trains passing through Belarus, which is a major international logistics artery.
Places such as Kuznica in Poland are the largest marshaling and transshipment stations for China-Europe freight trains after entering Poland, as well as key railway freight ports for these trains entering the EU (Poland) from Belarus. Due to differences in rail gauge between China and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, trains need to change tracks here and go through customs procedures.
Poland believes that Belarus is intentionally guiding Middle Eastern migrants to attack the Polish border, in retaliation against the EU's sanctions. Thus, Poland closed the railway ports as a countermeasure against Belarus.
This move by Poland has left a large number of freight trains traveling between China and Europe stranded on both sides of the border, unable to pass through. Freight companies have no choice but to take longer and more expensive alternative routes, significantly increasing transportation time and costs. The delivery of electronics, auto parts, cross-border e-commerce goods, and other items transported via this route has been delayed, further intensifying global supply chain tensions.
This incident exposed the vulnerability and geopolitical risks of key infrastructure lines under the "Belt and Road" initiative. Political developments within transit countries (such as Poland) or conflicts with neighboring countries (such as Belarus) can easily disrupt trade links between China and Europe. Cities within China that rely on these train services (such as Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, etc.) will see a sharp decline in business volume at their ports, logistics parks, and customs agencies, directly affecting their income. As a result, China has indirectly become involved in the confrontation between the West and the Russia-Belarus alliance. As a partner of Belarus and Russia, China's trade route to Europe has become a "hostage" or "pawn" in geopolitical struggles, leaving it in a very passive position.
The EU is caught between "connectivity" and "security," desiring trade with China while also worrying about economic dependence and so-called "coercion," and seeking to "de-risk" its supply chains. This incident exemplifies this ambivalence.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844053135287515/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.