North Korea and China open new Yalu River Bridge after 12-year delay
The bridge, completed in 2014, now opens to link Dandong and Sinuiju, signaling a new phase in Sino‑North Korean trade.
Key facts
- The New Yalu River Bridge spans 3 km between Dandong, China and Sinuiju, North Korea.
- The bridge was completed in 2014 but remained unused until 2026 because North Korea lacked connecting roads.
- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the opening marks a new chapter in bilateral ties.
- Experts say a sudden surge in trade is unlikely because of UN sanctions.
- The ceremony was held on 15 October 2026, with trucks bearing Chinese and North Korean flags crossing the bridge.
A ceremony was held on 15 October 2026 to launch the New Yalu River Bridge, according to Xinhua News and the BBC. Chinese Premier Li Qiang addressed the event in a video, saying the bridge marks a new chapter in Sino‑North Korean relations. Trucks decorated with Chinese and North Korean flags crossed the bridge during the ceremony, as reported by Xinhua and DW.
The cable‑stayed bridge is 3 km long and was completed in 2014, but it remained unused until 2026 because North Korea had not built connecting roads on its side. The delay was also attributed to the COVID‑19 pandemic, which caused North Korea to close its borders, according to Yonhap News and the BBC.
Chinese officials say the bridge will become the main land route for trade between the two countries and will strengthen people‑to‑people exchanges. The bridge is an alternative to the older Sino‑Korean Friendship Bridge built during Japanese occupation, as noted by the BBC.
Experts caution that a sudden increase in trade is unlikely because UN sanctions on North Korea remain in effect. They also note that North Korea is wary of becoming overly dependent on China, according to the BBC and DW.
Context
China is North Korea's largest trading partner and a lifeline against international sanctions. The bridge had been delayed for a decade due to lack of infrastructure and the pandemic, and the two countries have held two summits in the past year.
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