A long-delayed cross-border vehicle bridge between North Korea and China is set to open to traffic this week. Chinese state media, citing Xinhua, says the New Yalu River Bridge will formally open on Thursday, after more than a decade of inactivity. The bridge, about 3,024 meters long, connects Sinuiju in North Korea with Dandong in China and includes an opening ceremony, according to the reports.
Construction began in October 2011 and was completed in October 2014, but the bridge remained unused because North Korea had not finished the necessary buildings and road infrastructure on its side. In recent days, vehicles have been spotted crossing the bridge, which outlets note could indicate a test or trial run ahead of the official opening.
Several outlets frame the opening as a sign of closer China–North Korea relations. Reports point to pledges made by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping at their June summit in Pyongyang to raise ties and increase exchanges. CNA and other coverage also note that the new bridge follows recent infrastructure steps, including North Korea’s earlier road bridge opening with Russia.
