Dandong Sees Pickup in China-North Korea Ties as Cross-Border Activity Rises

Dandong, the Chinese border city that faces North Korea across the Yalu River, is a barometer of ties between Beijing and Pyongyang. While lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic led North Korea to sink into even greater isolation than usual, the resumption of cross-border rail links in recent months has triggered a pickup in activity, with freight volumes rising and local travel agencies reporting a steady stream of inquiries. When the South China Morning Post visited the city last month, a line of trucks was trundling across the sole bridge that connects Dandong to its North Korean neighbour Sinuiju, with the flow of commerce growing to the point it was briefly snarled by a traffic jam. According to Chinese customs data, trade between the countries reached US$988 million in the first four months of 2026, up 23 per cent from the year before.