On the 16th, North Korea reported the opening of the New Yalu Bridge connecting Sinuiju and Dandong, China.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on this day that an opening ceremony was held on site the previous day, saying, "The North Korea-China Yalu River Bridge has been completed while projects to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation between North Korea and China are being designed and vigorously promoted."
The Rodong Sinmun, the Labor Party's newspaper for local residents, also published a related article along with photos of the event on its second page. China previously announced the news of the opening ceremony day through its official Xinhua News Agency.
The Korean Central News Agency said, "The border bridge, which stands out majestically over the Yalu River that flows between the two countries, is a condensed creation of the invincible vitality and development of the North Korea-China friendship that has steadfastly maintained its original form even in the trials of history."
He added, "The Yalu River Bridge, which can guarantee the safe passage of various means of transportation and the flow of people, has been built, and the traveler inspection center and the inspection and quarantine station for import and export goods have been built in a practical and modern way, making it possible to further strengthen the economic linkage between the two countries."
High-ranking officials from both countries attended the opening ceremony, including North Korean Ambassador to China Ri Ryong-nam and Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun.
In addition, North Korean Prime Minister Park Tae-sung and Chinese Premier Li Chang each delivered video congratulatory remarks.
Prime Minister Park said, "The opening ceremony of the Yalu River Bridge between North Korea and China is a meaningful opportunity that not only connects the two countries' ley lines in a new natural and geographical way, but also solidifies the bond of friendship between the two peoples who have shared life, death, and ups and downs over a long period of time."
At the same time, he expressed confidence that "the Yalu River Bridge between North Korea and China will accelerate the progress of the two countries for the revival of the two countries and the improvement of the people's welfare, and will add new dynamics to mutually beneficial economic cooperation," the news agency reported.
Prime Minister Li Chang emphasized, "No matter how the international situation changes, the firm position of the Chinese party and government that attaches great importance to China-DPRK friendship will not change, the firm support for the cause of North Korean socialism led by Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong-un will not change, and the firm determination to protect the common interests and strategic environment of both China and North Korea will not change."
In addition, from the North, Yang Myong-chol, Secretary-General of the North Pyongan Provincial Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Ri Jeong-hyuk, Vice Chairman of the North Pyongan Provincial People's Committee, and Consul General Ma Jong-su in Shenyang, and from the Chinese side, Liaoning Provincial Party Secretary Xu Kunlin and Liaoning Province Vice-Governor Gu Jun attended the opening ceremony. North Pyongan Province and Liaoning Province are administrative districts of North Korea and China connected by the New Yalu River Bridge.
The news agency reported that ambassadors from both countries and other important figures cut the opening tape, and after a convoy of vehicles passed the bridge in both directions, the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge was declared.
The New Yalu Bridge, with four lanes and a total length of 3,026 m, was completed in 2014 with China investing about 2.2 billion yuan (about 440 billion won).
Afterwards, official traffic was delayed due to North Korea's lack of connecting roads and customs clearance facilities, but it was officially opened 12 years after completion with the restoration of North Korea-China relations.
As both North Korea and China emphasized 'economic linkage' and 'common interests' regarding the significance of the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge, there are predictions that economic and trade exchanges between the two countries will become more active in the future.
