China’s Bet on Sending Its Exports Through Russia Hits Setback

Sanctions imposed on Russia are disrupting China’s ambitions to move extra exports to Europe, a setback for the $4 trillion effort championed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to cement his place as the world’s pre-eminent trading lover.

Though the European Union has nonetheless to formally ban imports passing by way of Russia, inbound rail-cargo shipments have all but frozen, according to freight forwarders. Shifting shipping and delivery containers from China alongside a 7,500-mile corridor that operates through Russia and extends to the United Kingdom is a critical portion of Belt and Road, a yearslong endeavor that involves investments to hook up China to Europe by land and sea.