Balaz: China Grows Stronger, Forcing EU to Normalise Ties with Russia Soon

Bratislava, October 28 (TASR) – In the following years, China will focus on realising two large projects: China 2025 and the new Silk Road, both of which are linked to structural changes within its economy designed on the back of the modernisation of transport routes to Europe and Africa, TASR was told by Peter Balaz of the Bratislava Economic University.

Balaz spoke in reaction to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

“By building railway transport corridors in particular, the shipping of goods will speed up from approximately 40 days by sea to some two weeks via railway. This will bolster Chinese exports of goods with short-term consumption such as groceries,” said Balaz.

The first-ever Chinese train with containers is heading to the freight port in Bratislava in a trial run. The inbound train has already set out from the Chinese Dalian port and is slated to arrive at the Bratislava port terminal by mid-November. “There is a total of 41 containers carrying goods for customers from all of Central Europe,” said Ministry of Transport and Construction spokesperson Karolina Ducka.

China’s international weight has grown even more after US President Donald Trump reneged on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade treaty and shut down talks on a similar partnership with the EU, TTIP. “By withdrawing from the treaties, the USA bolstered China’s standing. This will force the EU to turn to Russia and normalise as well as develop closer ties with Moscow,” underlined Balaz.