After 12-year delay, North Korea and China open bridge linking Dandong and Sinuiju
A new cross-border route
The New Yalu River Bridge stretches 3km (1.9 miles) between Dandong, a Chinese border city, and Sinuiju in North Korea. Chinese state media reported that the long-delayed road crossing has opened.
Leaders frame closer ties
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in a video address on Thursday that the bridge represented the countries’ traditional friendship and marked a new chapter in bilateral relations. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the opening showed that relations were improving. He also said it suggested Xi Jinping’s June visit to North Korea had significance beyond ceremony.
Trade growth may be gradual
Observers also point to North Korea’s growing closeness to Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Last month, North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge; Russian state media said it could carry up to 300 vehicles and more than 2,000 people daily.
Other transport links resume
Air China restarted direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang in March, following a six-year suspension triggered by the pandemic. Passenger train services between the countries also reopened that month. The bridge adds a road connection as transport links resume, but the article does not report how much trade will use it or when traffic will begin.
Key points
- The 3km New Yalu River Bridge connects Dandong in China with Sinuiju in North Korea.
- Chinese state media reported that the long-delayed crossing has opened.
- An expert expects trade growth to be gradual while United Nations sanctions remain in effect.
- Direct flights and passenger trains between China and North Korea resumed in March.