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North Korea and China open New Yalu River Bridge after a 12-year delay
Overview
A road bridge linking China and North Korea has officially opened after a 12-year delay, signalling improving trade and diplomatic ties between the two neighbours. The 3km New Yalu River Bridge connects Dandong in China to Sinuiju in North Korea, serving as a modern alternative to the decades-old Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge. While trade and transport links are resuming, experts note that growth will likely be gradual due to UN sanctions and North Korea's wariness of overwhelming Chinese market influence.
Key points
- The New Yalu River Bridge spans 3km between Dandong, China, and Sinuiju, North Korea.
- The bridge's opening was delayed by 12 years after North Korea halted construction in 2014 amid strained relations.
- China remains North Korea's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $2.7bn last year.
- Experts suggest trade growth across the new bridge will be gradual due to ongoing UN sanctions and North Korea's caution regarding Chinese imports.
- The opening follows other recent resumptions in transport, including Air China flights and passenger train services earlier in the year.