A few days ago, the first regular freight train from China to Poland arrived in Warsaw, bringing a variety of goods such as air conditioners, coffee machine parts, and egg beaters. This new train service cuts the transportation time by more than half compared to shipping by sea and reduces the average freight cost per container by about 20%. European media have called this “a business opportunity,” noting that other countries like Hungary, Italy, and Spain might also try to attract investments from China.
This train service is important not just for economic reasons. Poland is a NATO member and has close ties with the US, but China has never asked Poland to choose sides. Despite pressure from the US, Poland has maintained a careful approach in its relationship with China. After the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, many in the West thought Poland might pull back from cooperating with China. However, this has not happened. Instead, under high-level diplomacy, China and Poland have strengthened their cooperation.
China and Poland are setting an example of practical cooperation even in a complex geographical area. This partnership shows that by focusing on mutual benefits, there is great potential for collaboration. Poland plays a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative, acting as a gateway for China-Europe freight trains to enter the EU. About 90% of these trains pass through or transfer in Poland, making it a crucial hub. Since China started cooperating with Central and Eastern European countries, Poland has become its largest trading partner in the region, and China is Poland’s largest economic partner in Asia.
The launch of the “Guangzhou International Port – Warsaw” China-Europe freight train marks a significant milestone. Almost simultaneously, another train left Wuhan for Duisburg, making the 10,000th trip of China-Europe freight trains this year, breaking last year’s record 19 days earlier. In just four years, despite challenges like the pandemic and global supply chain issues, the China-Europe freight trains have shown strong growth.
These freight trains offer a new, high-capacity, green, and low-carbon land transportation option. They are one-fifth the cost of air transport and take one-fourth the time of sea transport, with high stability and less impact from the natural environment. This makes them very attractive for timely and volume-sensitive products. This is a positive contribution from China and Europe to the global community, opening up more opportunities for cooperation.
The cooperation between China and Europe should increase, not decrease. Instead of “de-risking,” Europe should “break down barriers.” Geopolitical risks are a chance to strengthen cooperation, not reject it. Despite internal and external pressures, the push for practical cooperation is growing stronger. The main needs of countries are still economic development and improving people’s livelihoods, and closing doors won’t help in a globalized world.
China-Europe cooperation has been expanding and upgrading in recent years, and maintaining this momentum is the real way for Europe to “de-risk.” This is evident in the successful operation of the “Guangzhou International Port – Warsaw” freight train, the Polish town of Malaszewicze becoming famous for China-Europe trains, and the new energy vehicle factory in Szeged, Hungary, set up with China’s BYD. It’s clear to anyone without ideological biases that this cooperation is beneficial.
Meanwhile, NATO is trying hard to kick China out of Europe. Recently, NATO pressurised Germany to ban China’s 5G technology. Further, NATO is also mobilising Japan into conflict with China to get a foothold in Asia as part of it’s Asian NATO strategy.
