China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Poland on September 15–16, 2025, marking the first high-level visit of a Chinese official in six years. The timing of this diplomatic mission was particularly significant, coming just days after Poland decided to shut its border with Belarus due to security concerns. During his meetings with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Wang Yi discussed bilateral relations, trade, European security, and Poland’s aspirations to join the G20. One of the key outcomes was the signing of an agreement enabling partial reopening of Polish poultry exports to China by applying a regionalization principle, which had been a sticking point in bilateral trade.

The discussions were not limited to economics. Poland used the occasion to raise concerns about Russia’s war against Ukraine and recent violations of Polish airspace by drones. Warsaw also highlighted the risks posed by Moscow’s increasingly close cooperation with Minsk, particularly in the context of the “Zapad-2025” military exercises taking place just across the Polish border. These drills were the main reason behind Poland’s decision to close all border crossings with Belarus on September 12, suspending road and rail traffic — including freight — until further notice.

The border closure has major economic implications. It disrupts logistics chains, including rail freight routes linking China with the European Union through Belarus. While this decision is costly, Polish authorities stress that national security takes precedence and that the border will remain closed as long as the situation remains unsafe. Support measures for affected industries, particularly logistics and transport, are currently under consideration.

This juxtaposition of events underscores Poland’s delicate position. On one hand, it seeks to strengthen its economic ties with China and highlight its importance as a potential member of the G20. On the other hand, it must respond firmly to threats from Belarus and Russia, prioritizing security over trade. The visit of Wang Yi gave Poland a chance to remind China that the destabilization caused by Russia’s actions affects not only NATO’s eastern flank but also the flow of Chinese goods to Europe. How Beijing chooses to position itself — either as a neutral power, a quiet supporter of Moscow, or a potential stabilizing force — could have a major impact on future developments in the region.