China and North Korea open new bridge

On Thursday, China and North Korea inaugurated their most significant land border crossing, the 3-km (2-mile) New Yalu River Bridge, connecting the Chinese city of Dandong with North Korea. This move aims to revive trade and commerce after years of strained relations and pandemic-related interruptions.

Trucks drove across the bridge, which was completed in 2014 but unused while North Korea left its approach roads and customs compound unfinished. Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in a video address that the border crossing would “strongly promote” economic and trade cooperation.

The opening of the bridge is the latest sign of warming ties between Beijing and Pyongyang, after two summits between their leaders in the past year. Despite the potential economic boost, analysts said North Korea remains cautious of greater dependence on China.

Lim Eul-chul at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies said the bridge is unlikely to lead immediately to a full-scale return to pre-sanctions trade. However, it will help move heavy equipment, raw materials, and energy products that North Korea needs for development efforts.

China is by far Pyongyang’s largest trading partner, even after a series of UN sanctions banned the flow of goods and workers with the North. The delay in opening the bridge was a setback for Dandong, whose economy thrived in the early 21st century as the primary trade gateway to North Korea’s isolated economy.

The bridge opening was welcomed by Dandong residents, who expect it to attract more tourists and make the area more lively. One resident, a 50-year-old surnamed He, said it’s been more than a decade since they first said the bridge would open, and he was happy to see it finally happen.

According to a South Korean Unification Ministry official, the bridge opening was “effectively the first visible case” of adoption of agreements struck at a June summit of leaders. Seoul is monitoring whether it would lead to further practical steps as Beijing and Pyongyang seek to build their ties into a more strategic partnership.

China’s exports to North Korea rose to a six-year high of $2.3 billion last year, an increase of 25% on the year. However, this was still well below levels before UN sanctions tightened in 2017. As the bridge begins to facilitate trade, it may help North Korea access the goods it needs, but the country’s cautious approach to dependence on China will likely continue to shape their economic relationship.