25.09.2025, Moscow.
The launch of a new container shipping route to Europe via the Northern Sea Route by China became the decisive factor that forced Poland to reopen its border with Belarus, Rossa Primavera News Agency‘s Europe Desk wrote on September 25.
On September 22, China announced the launch of the container shipping route to Europe through the Northern Sea Route. The vessel Istanbul Bridge departed from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on its first voyage to Felixstowe, UK, carrying cross-border e-commerce goods, clothing, equipment, batteries, and other products.
This development took place against the backdrop of the closure of the Polish-Belarusian border, which is a key artery for Chinese exports to Europe. Warsaw’s decision to close the border was initially justified by alleged security concerns due to the Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad 2025.
However, even after the exercises ended, the border remained closed, which demonstrates the political nature of the decision and reflects an element of the US-led economic war against China, with Poland serving as a conduit of US policy.
Freight carriers faced significant losses and were actively seeking alternative routes. Many managed to find bypass options, though more costly and time-consuming. The opening of China’s new shipping route to Europe provided them with a profitable and, importantly, less risky alternative.
In such a situation, maintaining the closed Polish-Belarusian border would have resulted in most carriers permanently restructuring their logistics chains. Warsaw could have almost completely disappeared from China-to-Europe trade routes, making it irrelevant to Beijing and causing it to lose access to the Chinese market and promised support in the G20. Polish authorities proved unwilling to take that risk, even for the US.
This is likely why, just a day after China announced its new trade route, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared the reopening of the border with Belarus. The actual reopening of border checkpoints took place overnight on September 25.
Of course, the launch of the new route was not the sole reason for Warsaw’s change of course. Severe logistical problems in the region and the buildup of about 1,500 trucks on both sides of the border had created an explosive socio-political situation. However, China’s move became a significant factor that pushed Warsaw to quickly reverse its decision.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
