Last updated on October 3rd, 2025
Editor’s note
The false claim that “Poland violently dismantled the China-Europe Railway” spread rapidly on social media, causing public misunderstanding and alarm. On the 50th anniversary of China-Europe diplomatic ties and against a backdrop of recent regional security incidents, the posts amplified nationalist sentiment through misleading clips and incorrect captions. This article traces the source of the information, reviews official reports, and provides clarifications, aiming to promote rational judgment and safeguard confidence in China-Europe bilateral trade and economic relations.
Claim
On 21 September 2025, X user @DuoHong44622 posted ascreenshot showing a yellow excavator tearing up tracks with the caption “Poland has begun violently dismantling the China–Europe Railway,” implying government-ordered sabotage. The post racked up over 900,000 views in a single day.
Fact Check
1.Screenshot source
The screenshot in the post shows a Douyin interface. By matching the username and avatar, we traced the content to Douyin user @自由旗帜; but the original video has been removed. That account mainly posts international political commentary—chiefly on the Russia–Ukraine and Israel–Palestine conflicts—and routinely overlays news footage with sensational Chinese subtitles.
2.Visual analysis
The image shows an excavator bearing the logo “Eberhard.” Eberhard Bau AG is a Swiss company based in Zurich that specializes in railway construction and maintenance. Its website lists no operations or subsidiaries in Poland.
3.Source analysis
Reverse image search traces the footage to a 2024 LinkedIn post by user @Parastoo Azad that shows Eberhard performing routine track removal. The original clip was caption- and subtitle-free; the claim “Poland violently dismantled the China–Europe Railway” was superimposed later.
Key frames from the full video show a yellow-black circular logo, which belongs to Marti Tunnel AG, a Swiss company. Its official site indicates the company has no projects in Poland.
4.Official reports
On September 9, Poland’s Office of the Prime Minister announced that, with the Russia–Belarus “Zapad-2025” drills set to begin on September 12, Poland would close road and rail border crossings to Belarus from the night of September 11, for national security. A September 16 notice from the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure reiterated that the closures were a public-safety precaution and made no mention of any rail dismantling.
Background
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. The China–Europe Railway Express—operational since 2011—is a flagship Belt and Road project, now linking 229 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian nations; Poland’s Małaszewicze hub remains a critical node along the corridor. In early September 2025 Poland cited Belarusian military activity as a threat to border security and closed crossings on September 11, affecting normal China–Europe Railway operations. On September 23, Polish Prime Minister Tusk announced the border would reopen in September 25.
Conclusion
The original video clip simply records routine track work by Swiss company Eberhard Bau AG in 2024, and has been falsely recast as “Poland destroying the China–Europe Railway”. The border closures were just temporary security steps, not sabotage. Stay rational check official sources and credible outles before sharing unverified posts.
As a fact-check brand,Fact Hunter remains committed to systematically documenting these communication patterns. Follow us for ongoing insights into how narratives take shape and how truth cuts through the fog of conflict.
Have a questionable video or claim? Submit it to Fact Hunter’s investigation team at [therealfacthunter@outlook.com].
Primary Fact Checker: Wang Liyang
Secondary Fact Checker: Ma Xianzhi
