Ukraine War Ruins China's Plan To Ship Its Exports Via Russia

Sanctions imposed on Russia are disrupting China’s ambitions to move more exports to Europe, a setback for the $4 trillion effort championed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to cement his country as the world’s pre-eminent trading partner, Costas Paris reported for Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Photo Insert: Moving shipping containers from China along a 7,500-mile corridor that runs through Russia and extends to the United Kingdom is a vital part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

While the European Union (EU) has yet to officially ban imports passing through Russia, inbound rail-cargo shipments have all but frozen, according to freight forwarders, ruining any chance for China to use its rail connection to send exports to Europe.

Billions of dollars worth of merchandise moving through the Silk Road rail corridor risk being held for weeks or months as EU member-states start crafting new sanctions on Russia after more than 410 Ukrainian civilians were murdered by Russian and Chechen troops in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

Moving shipping containers from China along a 7,500-mile corridor that runs through Russia and extends to the United Kingdom is a vital part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a years-long undertaking that includes investments to connect China to Europe by land and sea.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic