Trade between the two countries has since grown. Chinese exports to North Korea rose 25% last year to $2.3 billion, their highest level in six years
The New Yalu River Bridge, designed to connect China’s Dandong New Zone and North Korea’s Sinuiju, as seen from China on October 5, 2026. Photo: Mandy Leong/Reuters
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The New Yalu River Bridge, designed to connect China’s Dandong New Zone and North Korea’s Sinuiju, as seen from China on October 5, 2026. Photo: Mandy Leong/Reuters
The New Yalu River Bridge, connecting China’s Dandong New Zone with North Korea’s Sinuiju, is set to officially open to traffic on Thursday, marking a step towards expanding economic ties between the two neighbours after years of delay.
China completed construction of its section of the bridge in 2014 to boost trade, but North Korea left its connecting infrastructure unfinished for years as relations cooled after Beijing backed United Nations sanctions in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons tests, says Al Jazeera.
Trade between the two countries has since grown. Chinese exports to North Korea rose 25% last year to $2.3 billion, their highest level in six years.
Analysts say trade with China primarily supplies essential goods for North Korea’s civilian economy, while Pyongyang’s trade with Russia is largely centred on military supplies.
Tourism between China and North Korea remains restricted, however, as Pyongyang has yet to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens.
China and North Korea have a longstanding alliance anchored by the 1961 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, China’s only formal military agreement. Relations between the two countries have gradually improved since 2018, with Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting Pyongyang in June.
North Korea has also significantly expanded military and political cooperation with Russia. The two countries signed a mutual defence treaty in 2024, and Pyongyang deployed thousands of troops to support Russia in its war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, a new road bridge between Russia and North Korea opened.
Analysts say the growing partnership with Moscow has reduced North Korea’s reliance on Beijing as its sole diplomatic partner.
The bridge opening comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in resuming talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. High-level negotiations between the two leaders collapsed in 2019.