New Bridge Over Yalu River Opens, Strengthening Ties Between China and DPRK
A new bridge connecting China and DPRK has officially opened, enhancing trade and cooperation between the two nations.
Beijing, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : A new bridge over the Yalu River connecting China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was officially opened to traffic on Thursday. The inauguration of this cross-border bridge was a joint event celebrated by both nations.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang addressed the occasion via video link, emphasizing that the bridge is a significant infrastructure project born from the shared concerns and efforts of General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Chinese Communist Party and Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. He noted that the successful completion of the bridge would not only enhance economic and trade cooperation between the two countries but also facilitate the movement of people, strengthening emotional ties between their citizens. The bridge is set to symbolize the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK.
Li urged both sides to seize this opportunity to continuously optimize customs clearance processes, improve connectivity, and tap into the collaborative potential of border regions. He highlighted that both countries are socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. Under the strategic guidance of their top leaders, China-DPRK relations are entering a new phase. China will continue to implement the significant agreements made by their leaders, strengthen strategic dialogue, bolster political trust, expand practical cooperation, and enhance multilateral coordination to deepen bilateral relations for the benefit of both peoples.
The ceremony also featured a video address from DPRK Prime Minister Pak Thae-song.
The new cable-stayed bridge provides vital transportation links between Tancheng in northeastern China’s Liaoning Province and Sinuiju in the DPRK’s North Pyongan Province. It features a double-pylon and double-cable-plane design, with a deck width of 28.5 meters, accommodating four lanes for two-way traffic and adhering to a 3,000-ton navigation standard.
Prior to this new bridge, the Yalu River Friendship Bridge served as a combined road-rail bridge. However, the old structure could only support one-way traffic for trucks weighing over 20 tons. In 2010, both nations agreed to construct a new road bridge downstream of the existing one.
