Key facts
- The 3-km New Yalu River Bridge officially opened on Thursday.
- China's exports to North Korea rose 25% to $2.3 billion last year.
- North Korea's state media have yet to report on the event.
China and North Korea officially opened the New Yalu River Bridge on Thursday, their most significant land border crossing, aiming to boost trade after years of strained relations and pandemic disruptions. The 3-km bridge, completed in 2014, saw increased activity with trucks adorned with Chinese flags waiting to cross. Crowds gathered on the Chinese side to watch the event. Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported an opening ceremony, though North Korea's state media had yet to comment. The opening signals progress in bilateral relations, marked by two summit meetings between their leaders in the past year. China is North Korea's largest trading partner, despite UN sanctions. Analysts suggest North Korea remains cautious of increased dependence on China, while Russia is accused of supplying military aid to Pyongyang. The bridge is expected to facilitate the movement of heavy equipment, raw materials, and energy products for North Korea's development projects. China's exports to North Korea rose 25% to $2.3 billion last year, still below pre-2017 sanctions levels.