Photos: China and North Korea open new border bridge amid deepening ties

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing AP and Reuters, reported that China and North Korea have opened the long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge, a four-lane road crossing between Dandong in China’s Liaoning province and the North Korean border city of Sinuiju. The launch ceremony took place on Thursday, with state media showing trucks carrying the two countries’ flags crossing the bridge and Chinese and North Korean flags displayed along the span.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang described the bridge as a symbol of the two countries’ traditional friendship and said it should strengthen connectivity and cooperation in border areas. North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song also sent a video message. The bridge is about 3 kilometers long and is expected to reduce pressure on the older Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, which handles rail and vehicle traffic but allows only one direction at a time.

The report said the bridge had been completed on the Chinese side years ago, but the project stalled because matching work was not carried out on the North Korean side. The delay had prompted speculation about political and economic differences between Beijing and Pyongyang. Residents in Dandong had also hoped the project would support local growth.

The opening comes amid broader shifts in regional ties, including North Korea’s efforts to balance relations with China and Russia while facing international sanctions. Al Jazeera noted that China remains North Korea’s main economic partner, and analysts expect the new bridge to improve trade and logistics even if sanctions continue to limit wider engagement.