The new China-North Korea Yalu River Bridge will officially open on October 15, according to Xinhua. The bridge, completed in 2014, had been closed due to unfinished infrastructure on the North Korean side.
The new China-North Korea Yalu River Bridge will officially open on October 15, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency. Both sides will jointly hold an opening ceremony on that day. The bridge connects Dandong in China's Liaoning Province with Sinuiju in North Korea's North Pyongan Province.
The bridge is a four-lane, cable-stayed structure spanning a total length of 3,026 meters. Construction was completed in October 2014, but the bridge remained closed for more than a decade. According to SBS and Daily NK, the delay was caused by unfinished access roads, customs facilities, and other infrastructure on the North Korean side. China financed the entire construction cost to ease congestion on the older Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, which was built in 1943 and handles much of the bilateral trade.
Daily NK reported that Chinese staff at facilities serving the bridge in Dandong began regular shifts on October 8, following China’s National Day holiday. On the North Korean side, authorities reportedly serviced several dozen freight trucks, placing them on standby for shipments. A Daily NK source stated, "The staff are in place and the vehicles are ready, so people believe the opening is imminent."
Chosunbiz reported that North Korean and Chinese national flags were confirmed hanging at the North Korean gateway of the bridge on October 13. A source familiar with conditions in the border area told Chosunbiz, "The opening ceremony for the New Yalu River Bridge appears likely to be held around the 15th."
Initial expectations for the opening were set for October 6, the 77th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and North Korea. However, no ceremony was held on that date. Daily NK reported that Chinese traders suspect rising military tension on the Korean Peninsula may have influenced the delay, citing a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone and a North Korean ballistic missile launch. The source noted, "People are saying China pushed the date back a little given the current atmosphere." However, Daily NK clarified that no direct link between the postponement and tensions has been confirmed.
The opening of the New Yalu River Bridge marks the end of a 12-year delay for a major infrastructure project intended to expand cross-border trade. The new crossing is expected to alleviate congestion on the aging Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge. Traders are monitoring how the new bridge will reshape logistics between Dandong and Sinuiju, with questions remaining about customs rules and cargo volume capacity.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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