China, North Korea to open long-delayed bridge on Thursday
The 3-kilometer bridge was completed in 2014 and is expected to ease trade on a route that handles more than 70% of official commerce.
- Residents gathered near the New Yalu River Bridge in Dandong this week, amid rumors that its opening will soon end a 12-year delay. The Chinese side has completed its approach roads and customs facilities.
- Although China completed the bridge in 2014, North Korea left its facilities unfinished as relations soured over nuclear tests and sanctions. Work resumed following a visit by Chinese President Jinping.
- Dandong's economy grew just 0.3% in the first half of 2026 against a national figure of 4.7%, with investment falling a third and new home sales down 28%. City data shows the bridge delay significantly hampered the city.
- The Guomenwan trade zone, launched with a 1 billion yuan investment, now features mostly empty storefronts. A manager said, "This doesn't have much to do with us" when asked about the bridge opening.
- Most goods still cross about 10 km upstream at an 83-year-old bridge, as North Korea has not reopened to Chinese tourists since 2020. "They've cut themselves off from the world," said Zhang, a passerby near the new infrastructure.
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The bridge will be officially opened to traffic on Thursday and aims to promote trade, road traffic and “exchange between people on both sides of the river”.
China and North Korea reopen their main trade artery
The two countries will open traffic on the New Yalu River Bridge, which has remained closed for 12 years, SCMP reports.The four-lane bridge links the Chinese city of Dandong with the North Korean city of Sinuiju and may become a key logistics artery...
China, North Korea to open long-delayed bridge on Oct 15
BEIJING/SEOUL — The long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge linking China and North Korea will open on Thursday (Oct 15), Chinese state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday, signalling a renewed push to boost trade despite Pyongyang's lingering wariness of greater economic dependence.The two sides will jointly hold an opening ceremony, the Xinhua report said. North Korea's state media did not...
Both countries will hold a joint opening ceremony, but have not specified when the usual transit will begin.
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