(LEAD) New cross-border bridge between N. Korea, China to open Thurs.: report
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- A bridge between North Korea and China will officiall...
A bridge connecting North Korea and China will officially open for traffic this week, according to a Chinese news report. The New Yalu River Bridge, linking Sinuiju in North Korea with Dandong in China, will commence operations on Thursday, reported Xinhua News Agency. An opening ceremony is scheduled for that day.
Construction of the four-lane motor bridge commenced in October 2011 and was completed in October 2014. However, it remained unused for years due to North Korea's failure to finish the buildings and infrastructure on its side. In recent times, vehicles have been observed crossing the 3,024-meter bridge, suggesting a possible test run.
The new bridge aims to enhance trade and personnel exchanges between the two nations, following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping's commitment at their June summit in Pyongyang to elevate their relations to a strategic level and strengthen exchanges. It will complement the existing Friendship Bridge, which has been the primary crossing over the Yalu River since 1943. The new bridge is anticipated to alleviate congestion on the existing, one-way road linking the two countries.
Written by urgent.news from Yonhap News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
