On the 25th of May, 2025, the first freigh train from Xi'an, tha capital of the Chinese province of Shaanxi, arrived at Aprin inland port, Iran. The new China-Iran railroad stretches approximately ten thousand four hundred kilometers, traversing kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
This integrated chain of connected railways allows the opportunity to transport oil and cargo containers on steel wheels across the Eurasian continent instead of unsafe maritime routes. In addition, the new railway also binds China and Iran closer togheter. In geopolitical terms, Iran will not be cut off from global markets. It is not a coincidence the fact that China purchases 77 percent of Iran crude oil export.
Global geopolitical dynamics will be reshaped by this transcontinental railway, due to the fact that it gives Iran a mechanism to reduce dependence on volatile sea lanes in the Persian Gulf and its strait of Hormuz. In other words, the two Asian countries can cooperate to construct an alternative system, one less dependent on Western powers. Actually, for the Unites States and its satellites, this railway can tilt the balance of power, as it is perceived as more than just a trade route. It's a challenge to America's currency influence over global finance. China has begun shifting major trade deals with partners such as Iran, Russia and Central Asia countries, thereby avoiding the global dollar system. Actually, since 2012 China has been buying Iranian oil mostly in Yuan Renminbi.
China can forge partnership outside traditional Western systems, thank to this new transcontinental railway. It shifts the balance of power, as countries that once relied on United States controlled routes now face a parallel network China can influence directly. Countires like Iran, Central Asia states and even Russia now have options.
The China-Iran railway demonstrates that infrastructure is more than engineering. It's a tool of geopolitics, economics and strategy, that challenges established systems.
New trade routes redefine global politics.
On the Greenland front, I'd like to write just a few words about Trump's ridiculous speeches on phantom Russian submarines sailing under Denmark's territorial waters or through the Artic sea. It is fair to say that it would be normal to spot warships and submarines of countries bordering the Artic sea, such as Russia, Norway or Canada.
Happy to see Europe taking Trump's stupid threats seriously, before it is too late. In addition, there are apparently already troops in Greenland from Canada, who are there for an annual exercise they do there 🇩🇰 🇬🇱 🇨🇦 🇪🇺
Greetings
...China is building bridges, Trump is building walls.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree on this, Tom.
DeleteThe power of the railway line. The world is mad at the moment, it really is. :-(
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Ananka. This mad world is in trouble.
DeleteIn the immediate future, we are moving toward a unipolar world, unfortunately. It is based on force and opportunism, as we have seen in Venezuela, Iran, Palestine and so on. But there would be a rather remote opportunity if China and Russia (together with their satellites Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Pakistan, etc.) were to create a Eurasian pole. This would initially balance the American hegemonic ideology, creating a bipolar context. Then, at a later stage, the Russian-Chinese pole would dominate the United States. Consequently, in accordance with well-known geopolitical theories dating back to the early 1900s (H. J. Mackinder), whoever occupies the vast central Eurasian region, with its natural defenses and conspicuous natural resources, holds global land power. Washinton's elite and billionaires are well aware of this and are obsessed with it. It is not a coincidence the fact that Washington's elite and billionaires have been overthrowing presidents in rich natural resources countries, such as Venezuela and Iran. It is not a coincidence Washington's uncontrolled expansionist ambitions toward Greenland's resources. And it is not a coincidence the attempt to enter Eurasia (Iran, Taiwan, Syria, etc.).
Hello Giorgio, just stopping by to wish you a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Hello, Giorgio! I'm glad when countries around the world develop economic relations. We must all be friends, not be at war.
ReplyDeleteChina's model is based on cooperation, mutual benefit, shared development, and inclusivity.
DeleteUy, Te deseo un buen fin de semana. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteHi Giorgio, I echo Tom's comment.
ReplyDeleteThat train sure does go a long way. I'd say Tom is right, Giorgio.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
As mentioned by Tom, the US president has been building walls across the world. The problem is that Trump continues to build walls by increasing tariff rates sharply on imported good and services.
DeleteHi Giorgio :)
ReplyDeleteMy friend, I read your words with great interest. Speaking of Iran, I've written many times on my blog that I despise the Ayatollahs' regime. They're damned criminals! As a Pole (as a Pole, I have such a duty!), a normal person, and a woman, I support the liberation of Iran.
Giorgio, I wish you a pleasant weekend.
Great to hear you were interested in this topic.
DeleteHave a lovely Sunday, Anna.
I'm actually happy to hear about this transcontinental railway. There has to be something, "like this" to bring the "thing" in the white house down. It's difficult to say YAY for China and Iran but on this I'm in favor. US tariffs, seizing vessels on shipping lanes and oh so much more. Some one has to stop him. Here in the US we are headed for something never seen before and it is NOT good at all. Thank you for this post and have a great day today.
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DeleteI hope the "thing" will be kicked out soon, Nicole.
Since January 2025 he have already damaged his country ... the US is moving towards international isolation. Not to mention that in 2021 he brought the United States close to the civil war, when he attempted to overturn the results of the election.
I appreciate you reading my post and sharing your thoughts.
Hi again. I wanted to share this with you about Greenland. I have fact checked. Starting Feb.1 the "thing" is leveling a 10% tariff to countries that don't back him about taking Greenland. Eight European nations (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Finland) starting February 1, 2026, escalating to 25% if they don't agree to a U.S. "purchase" or control of Greenland.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-levies-tariffs-on-nations-opposing-us-control-of-greenland/ar-AA1UpCBP?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=696bf42278324dd2aa483e746381160b&ei=126
Hello Nicole,
DeleteI am afraid the US is going towards international isolation. The "thing" is planning a retaliation typical of authoritarianism.
Thank you so much for sharing such information, Nicole.
We will be in touch.
It shows how new railways can change the way countries trade and connect with each other, instead of relying only on ships and sea routes. Big projects like this seem to have effects far beyond just transport.
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