China opens new border bridge to North Korea as ties thaw after years of cold
China and North Korea opened a four-lane border bridge this week. This marks closer ties after a decade of tension.
China and North Korea opened a new four-lane border crossing at Dandong this week. The bridge is the most important step yet in warming ties.
The bridge replaced an old single-lane crossing over the Yalu River. The old crossing had carried almost all trade between the two countries.
Dandong is a Chinese border city and an economic lifeline for North Korea. North Korea is hit by international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program.
China accounts for about 95 per cent of North Korea's official trade. Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a summit earlier this year.
The bridge opening follows that summit. Some experts say China is trying to regain influence over Pyongyang.
Pyongyang has drifted closer to Russia in recent years. China's exports to North Korea rose to a six-year high of US$2.3 billion last year.
- four
- Bridge lanes
- 95 percent
- China's share of North Korea trade
- US$2.3 billion
- Exports to North Korea last year
- Dandong, Yalu River
- Location
Why it mattersThe bridge signals China will deepen its economic ties to North Korea despite sanctions. This shows how political alliances are changing around Beijing and Moscow.
AustraliaAustralia's concerns about North Korea's nuclear program and weapons transfers to Russia depend partly on Chinese cooperation with UN sanctions. A warmer China-North Korea relationship could weaken enforcement of those restrictions.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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