China-North Korea bridge set to open October 15 after 12-year delay
In short
The New Yalu River Bridge linking China's Dandong and North Korea's Sinuiju is scheduled to open officially on October 15, Xinhua reported. The two countries plan a joint ceremony for the four-lane, 3,026-metre bridge, completed in 2014.
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China and North Korea plan to open the New Yalu River Bridge officially on October 15 and hold a joint ceremony, according to Xinhua reports carried by South Korean outlets. The bridge connects Dandong in China's Liaoning province with Sinuiju in North Korea. Its opening follows roughly 12 years of delay after construction was completed in 2014. [ 6 , 9 , 15 ]
The bridge is 3,026 metres long and has four lanes. China paid the construction costs and completed its customs building in 2016, Newsis reported. The formal opening was delayed because access roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side were not properly ready. Newsis said an earlier expected opening on October 6, the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations, did not take place. [ 15 ]
Preparations became visible before the announcement. Newsis and Yonhap reported that North Korean and Chinese flags were attached to the North Korean gateway on October 13. Yonhap also reported sightings of large trucks making trial crossings. In a later report, Newsis described flags along the bridge railings and a local source's account that a Chinese person invited to the ceremony had said it would be held at 10 a.m. on October 15. [ 1 , 2 , 27 ]
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the bridge was important infrastructure for connecting the countries and would promote economic and trade exchanges and travel, Kyunghyang Shinmun reported. Newsis said the opening was expected to spread freight traffic currently concentrated on the existing crossing. The anticipated trade impact remains uncertain: Dong-A Ilbo reported analysis that UN sanctions against North Korea could make a rapid increase in trade difficult even after the bridge opens. [ 12 , 15 , 33 ]
Why it matters
Newsis reported that the bridge is expected to ease freight pressure on the existing crossing and expand trade and travel. China's foreign ministry said the opening would promote economic exchanges and movement of people between the countries.
Key facts
- Xinhua reported an official opening and joint ceremony on October 15. [ 4 , 6 , 9 , 12 , 15 , 27 ]
- The bridge links Dandong in China with Sinuiju in North Korea. [ 2 , 6 , 8 , 12 , 15 ]
- It is 3,026 metres long and has four lanes. [ 2 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 12 , 15 ]
- China funded construction, completed in 2014, while incomplete North Korean access roads and customs facilities delayed opening. [ 2 , 8 , 12 , 15 ]
- An expected October 6 opening ceremony did not take place. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 12 , 15 , 27 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How quickly trade will increase after opening. Dong-A Ilbo reported analysis that UN sanctions could limit a rapid near-term increase.