On September 22, Belarusian President Lukashenko changed his former tough stance and said in a gentle but firm tone: " When China needs it, Belarus will always be a reliable friend."This statement is not diplomatic. Just a few days ago, Poland suddenly closed all border crossings with Belarus. More than 300 China-Europe trains were trapped on the Belarusian side, and the transportation chain was almost cut off in the middle.
As one of the key channels of the whole Central European line, Belarus’ move at this moment has a direct impact. China’s land route to Europe.Poland just signed a transit agreement with China, turning its head to blocking the port, such a "face-changing" operation, what consideration is it?
On September 12, Belarus and Russia held a joint meeting under the code name " Western-2025On the same day, the Polish government suddenly announced the closure of all roads and railway ports leading to Belarus, claiming to prevent potential “security threats”.
In fact, there was an early warning of this military exercise, and the exercise notice was issued in advance, which was not sudden. The exercise ended on September 16, but the Polish blockade was not lifted. This makes people have to doubt that Poland's move is not for security at all, but for other purposes.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is an important part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Every year, more than 85% of trains enter the EU through the Malaszewicz port in Poland.This large artery of land logistics carries a large number of electronic products, photovoltaic components and automotive parts in China, and is also an important supply channel for cross-border e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein.
A large number of goods are stockpiled at key stations such as Brest, Minsk and other in Belarus.Some shipments have been delayed for more than a week, logistics companies are in trouble, transportation costs continue to rise, companies face double pressure for delayed delivery and customers to cancel orders.
It is estimated that the trade volume affected by this interruption has reached 25 billion euros, and local logistics companies, warehousing companies and even truck drivers in Poland have also been impacted. German auto factories are running out of supply of parts, French manufacturers complain about delayed deliveries, and the entire European supply chain begins to fluctuate.
Just as Central Europe was stuck in Belarus, when it wasn’t known when, Lukashenko stood up and made a pledge to China. He not only said that “China can always count on Belarus when it needs it,” but also said that Poland’s move was a “unfriendly political act” aimed at “imposing pressure on China for third countries.”。
Third-party is the term for the past few years. The United States frequently asks China to "choose sides" on the Russia-Ukraine issue, and Poland, as one of its European allies, naturally follows suit.The Polish Foreign Minister has openly stated that he hopes China "will urge Russia to stop its actions", this blockade of China and Europe is likely to be the logistics pass as a code, forcing China to express itself.
Of course, China won't take this set. On September 15th, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to visit Warsaw and held three-hour talks with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sikorski. Poland promised that the blockade was "temporary" and was willing to ensure the safe passage of China-Europe trains. But unexpectedly, three days later, Poland turned its face and announced that it would continue the blockade until the global situation was "clear".
Compared to Poland’s repeated instability, Lukashenko’s firm stance appears to be more precious. While Belarus cannot help China open its ports to Poland, it takes on the role of “buffering zones” and “transit stations” at critical moments.Belarus immediately provided the Chinese side with the list and flow of information on the residence ranks, assisting with scheduling and storage, to mitigate the losses of Chinese enterprises as much as possible.
At the same time, China did not wait passively, but quickly started alternative paths. On September 22, " The "Istanbul Bridge" ship set sail from Ningbo Zhoushan Port, officially opening the world's first "China-Europe Arctic Express"The route takes the northeastern Arctic Passage and reaches Britain through the White Lange Strait in 18 days, saving 22 days and halving carbon emissions compared to traditional routes.
As early as 2018, China issued the White Paper of the Arctic Policy, in cooperation with Russia, Norway and other Arctic countries to set up the "Ice Silk Road".
The opening of the Arctic route is not only a direct response to Poland's blocking of the channel, but also a major layout for China's grasp of global logistics initiative.It has circumvented the traditional throat lines of the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca, and has also marginalized Poland from the central European logistics core position.
And Belarus has also gained a new position in this process. "Jushi" China-Belarus Industrial Park played a key role in this incident, becoming the temporary dispatching platform and transshipment center of China-Europe trains.With more than 70 Chinese enterprises gathered in the park, not only high-end manufacturing, but also intelligent logistics systems, Belarus is no longer just a channel country, but also a part of the logistics value chain.
The Prime Minister of Belarus acknowledged that while Belarus achieved its GDP growth target of 4% in 2024, domestic inflation has reached 5.2%, close to the upper limit of 6%. Expanding cooperation with China at this time is not only a political statement, but also an economic realistic choice.
Looking back on the past few years, Belarus's support for China has always been consistent. In 2018 and 2019, the United States tried to woo Belarus to "stay away from China" and promised generous returns, but Lukashenko refused all of them。
Pompeo's visit to Minsk in 2020 was the first time the US secretary of state had stepped on Belarus in 26 years, but a few months later anti-government protests broke out across the country, and the United States and Western countries also refused to recognize Lukashenko's legitimacy.
On the one hand, the far-reaching political recognition of the West, on the other hand, the realistic Chinese cooperation project. Lukashenko has long understood that the reliable friend of the East is the one who can really help Belarus out of trouble.
Poland’s gesture of “wall grass” has, in turn, accelerated many parties’ distrust of it. Within the EU, some member states have already publicly criticized Poland for "destroying solidarity", and Germany and France have also begun to bypass Poland, switching to the southern line or shipping.Poland’s original status as the “Euro-Asian Gateway” is becoming empty by itself.
China has not positively criticized Poland, but the action has explained everything.Suspension of import licenses for Polish poultry products, and postponement of approval of new energy cooperation projects, these precise countermeasures are being carried out quietly. No initiative, but never harm.。
The Belarusian move, then, provides another model. not noise, but at the critical moment. not empty talk, but actually stand together with Chinese companies on the ground to solve problems together.
In September 2025, Poland wanted to use the "logistics channel" to block China, as a result of which China opened the Arctic Express, advanced the Southern Line channel, accelerated the upgrading of the Siberian railway, and at the same time strengthened deep cooperation with Belarus, the China-European trade map was completely redesigned.
Who is the real partner, who can be trusted at the critical moment, no need to say more. Poland tried to suppress China with channels to counter economic phobia; Belarus firmly stood up with China, showing outstanding strategic value. China responded to the challenge with "multi-channels, multiple layouts" and showed strategic determination and action capacity in international cooperation.
Source of information:
[1] Poland closes Belarusian ports, China-Europe freight trains are blocked, and cross-border e-commerce logistics is under pressure Observer.com
[2] President Lukashenko: China can always count on Belarus Russian Satellite News Agency when needed