On 25 June 2025, the Podlaska Izba Lotnicza and the Chinese-European Foundation for global Cooperation (CEICF) signed an Intent Letter setting out strategical cooperation in the areas of:
- development of regional airport infrastructure,
- cargo logistics and air freight solutions,
- knowledge and technology exchange,
- joint implementation of the task GreenAirport in north-eastern Poland.
Political basis: president Duda's visit to China and bilateral action plan
This partnership straight refers to Action Plan to strengthen a comprehensive strategical partnership between the Republic of Poland and the People's Republic of China (2024-2027), signed during the visit of the State president of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda with representatives of the Polish Government in Beijing in June 2024. During this visit, president A. Duda held talks at the highest level with president Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Qiang, and president of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Assembly of Zhao Leji.
The plan, officially approved by the Polish Government, identifies key areas of bilateral cooperation: economy, trade and investment, green development, discipline and innovation, and connectivity, including the improvement of air transport and access to markets.
Historical continuity and cross-party support
This strategical cooperation besides continues Poland's long-term commitment to building strong economical and infrastructure ties with China. The foundations were laid in 2015, erstwhile the government of Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz decided to join the Belt and way Initiative — this step was subsequently ratified by the Polish Sejm in 2016. Since then, the initiative has enjoyed broad, cross-party support from both the PO and the Law and Justice, under the regulation of successive cabinets. The GreenAirport task is the next phase of this coherent policy, transforming diplomatic declarations into a tangible, modern infrastructure investment.
Green Airport – Europe's fresh gateway to air trade
Draft Green Airport ("Zambrów, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland") assumes the creation of the most modern hub of cargo in Central and east Europe, beginning a fresh air corridor between China and the European Union. The concept is based on the thought of the fresh Silk Road, but with a crucial strategical shift in turn to air transport — with precedence for speed, flexibility and environmental responsibility.
From a method point of view, Green Airport will be equipped with a 4000-metre long runway, adapted to operate the largest cargo aircraft in the world, and will meet the requirements of ICAO 4F. This will let unlimited 24-hour air operations in freight traffic, in all weather conditions.
The task envisages the creation of a modern logistics and passenger platform, which will service as a gateway for imports of consumer goods from Asia and an export corridor for European highly processed goods, including technology, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and agricultural products of the highest quality.
A word from Karol Halicki, president of the Podlasie Aviation Chamber:
GreenAirport is not only a regional infrastructure project. This is simply a strategical step towards a fresh chapter in global trade between Europe and the Far East. Thanks to this cooperation with CEICF, we are building a fresh generation logistics centre in Poland – 1 that balances transatlantic flows between the European Union and the United States, while beginning a dynamic channel to Asia. This task is much more than infrastructure. It is building economical bridges, sharing innovation and strengthening long-term trust between Polish and Chinese institutions and companies. GreenAirport will be Europe’s fresh air gate — a place where inexpensive imports will be found, and the another way around the highest quality products.
Future partner
The agreement was signed by Karol Halicki, president of the Podlasie Aviation Chamber, and Yuanping Yu, president of the CEICF Management Board — a foundation active in the improvement of peaceful long-term partnerships between China and Europe. CEICF promotes cross-border cooperation in the areas of logistics, innovation and sustainable improvement between the European Union and China.
EU-China Summit 2025: a broader context
The agreement between the Podlasie Air Chamber and CEICF forms part of the broader strategical objectives highlighted at the 25th EU-China Summit held in Beijing in July 2025. European leaders, including the president of the European Council of António Costa and the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, called for a more sustainable and partnership economical relation with China, focusing on open access to markets, climate cooperation and resilient supply chains.
Summary
The letter of intent signed by the Podlasie Chamber of Aviation and CEICF is simply a real implementation of the long-term diplomatic and economical imagination shared by Poland, China and the European Union. The GreenAirport task could shortly become a model for strategic, forward-oriented and sustainable cooperation — bringing tangible benefits to both sides of Eurasia.
