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China-North Korea traffic to increase with new bridge opening

Asia.Nikkei • October 15, 2026

The New Yalu River Bridge is seen from Dandong, in China's Liaoning province, on Oct. 5. The bridge connects the Yellow Sea trade hub with the North Korean city of Sinuiju. © Reuters

SEOUL -- China and North Korea opened a new border bridge on Thursday, in the latest sign of deepening ties between the two Cold War-era allies.

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The full story

This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

New Yalu River Bridge Opens Between China and North Korea The New Yalu River Bridge, connecting Dandong, China, and Sinuiju, North Korea, officially opened on October 15, 2026, after a 12-year delay. The bridge, which is four lanes wide and spans 3,026 meters, is expected to significantly enhance trade between the two nations, which account for 70% of their bilateral trade. The bridge's construction was completed in 2014, but delays were caused by unfinished infrastructure on the North Korean side and the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts express concerns that the bridge could facilitate North Korea's evasion of international sanctions related to its nuclear program. While the bridge is seen as a sign of improving relations between China and North Korea, it also raises geopolitical tensions regarding sanctions enforcement. The opening ceremony featured North Korean trucks adorned with flags, marking a hopeful moment for local businesses in Dandong that have awaited this development for over a decade. 8 sources 43

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China North Korea South Korea