The Aporia
The Aporia
Gonzalez, J. (2026, October 15). China and North Korea open new bridge as ties improve. Semafor. https://www.semafor.com/article/10/15/2026/north-korea-and-china-open-new-bridge-as-ties-improve
Gonzalez, Jeronimo. “China and North Korea open new bridge as ties improve.” Semafor, 15 Oct. 2026, https://www.semafor.com/article/10/15/2026/north-korea-and-china-open-new-bridge-as-ties-improve.
Gonzalez, Jeronimo. “China and North Korea open new bridge as ties improve.” Semafor, October 15, 2026. https://www.semafor.com/article/10/15/2026/north-korea-and-china-open-new-bridge-as-ties-improve.
Dated from the outlet's own feed. Check the original for its byline.
On October 13, 2014, China finished construction of its part of the New Yalu River Bridge linking Dandong with Sinuiju, but it remained unused for over a decade due to delays on the North Korean side. The bridge finally opened on Thursday, October 15, 2026, symbolizing improved ties between China and North Korea after years of tension. Stretching 3 kilometers (1.9 miles), this four-lane bridge is expected to significantly boost trade, which reached $2.7 billion in bilateral trade last year, a recovery from pandemic restrictions.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials from both countries virtually, with trucks adorned with the flags of China and North Korea crossing the bridge as part of the festivities. The New Yalu River Bridge is seen as an alternative to the aging Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge built in 1943 during Japan's occupation. Despite the renewed connectivity, concerns remain about North Korea’s growing ties with Russia, potentially diminishing Beijing’s influence over its ally.
