The New Yalu River Bridge linking China’s Dandong with North Korea’s Sinuiju officially opened on Thursday, marking the end of a long delay and a step toward expanded cross-border trade.
Completed in 2014, the 3-kilometre, four-lane cable-stayed bridge remained unused for more than a decade while North Korea finished connecting roads and customs facilities. An opening ceremony was held on October 15, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and his North Korean counterpart Pak Thae-song participating via video conference.
Boost to bilateral ties
Chinese state media quoted Li Qiang describing the bridge as a “new landmark symbolising the traditional friendship” between the two countries and saying bilateral relations were “entering a new phase and opening a new chapter.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called the structure an important facility for connectivity that would facilitate economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
The bridge is expected to supplement the older Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, built in the 1930s–1940s, which has handled the bulk of land trade between the neighbours. Trucks adorned with national flags crossed the new span on opening day, and crowds gathered on the Chinese side to watch.
Trade context
China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner. Last year, Chinese exports to North Korea rose 25 percent to $2.3 billion, while overall bilateral trade reached $2.7 billion, recovering toward pre-pandemic levels.
Analysts note that while the new crossing should improve logistics efficiency, an immediate return to pre-sanctions trade volumes is unlikely given ongoing international restrictions on Pyongyang.
