In Rethinking the Belt and Road Initiative. An (Ir)replaceable Polish Factor

Abstract

The idea of reactivating the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), announced by President Xi Jinping in 2013, aroused interest and even enthusiasm in Poland. Over time, however, this initial enthusiasm began to give way to skepticism and pessimism. The project’s supporters emphasize that Poland, as the largest state in the region, should use its geostrategic position as well as its economic potential to become an international logistic hub for the BRI. From this perspective, the Sino-Polish partnership appears as an opportunity for development in several crucial areas: trade and investment, transport (especially the expansion of air and rail connections), financial cooperation, and people-to-people exchange. On the other hand, optimistic visions and plans do not go hand in hand with their implementation. Despite many efforts made in recent years to strengthen Sino-Polish bonds, the effects of cooperation remain unsatisfactory. The reasons for this result from various conditions: political, economic, cultural, and other. Currently, Poland’s attitude toward China can be described as cautious and restrained. The aim of this chapter is to consider the reasons (especially political) for such restraint in the light of growing concerns about the excessive strengthening of China’s position in the world.