New Yalu River Bridge between China and North Korea opens
The new bridge, expected to boost trade between China and North Korea, has officially entered service after prolonged delays.
The New Yalu River Bridge, connecting China's Dandong city with North Korea's Sinuiju city, officially opened on Thursday, October 15, 2026, after a delay of over a decade.
Technical Specifications of the Bridge
Constructed with a total of four lanes and a length of 3 kilometers, or approximately 1.8 miles, the crossing point was designed to strengthen transportation infrastructure between the two countries.
Opening Ceremony and Participants
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Chinese and North Korean officials, trucks decorated with the flags of both countries stood ready for crossing.
At the opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song each delivered speeches via video message.
Reason for the Prolonged Delay
Construction on the Chinese side of the bridge was completed in 2014 and it was expected to enter service at that time, but the process was prolonged because North Korea could not finish the work on its own side in a timely manner.
Expected Contribution to Regional Trade
The new bridge is projected to ease the burden on the aging single-lane vehicular and railway bridge, which carries more than 70 percent of official trade between the two countries.