Saigon River's palm-leaf-shaped pedestrian bridge completes final span ahead of 2027 opening

The New Yalu River Bridge, connecting China and North Korea, opened on October 15, 2026 after a 12-year construction period marred by setbacks. However, customs delays have left trucks waiting for more than three hours at a time, according to a Chinese source. The four-lane bridge spans the Yalu River, linking Sinuiju in North Pyongan province with Dandong in China’s Liaoning province.

Despite high expectations that the bridge would boost North Korea-China trade, Chinese traders report little change since its opening. Chinese customs inspections are taking longer than anticipated, while North Korean customs has struggled to keep vehicles moving. At times, lines of trucks waiting for clearance have extended a third of the way across the bridge.

The bridge’s strict inspections, focusing on UN-sanctioned goods, have also slowed trade. North Korea’s new administrative system, launched with the bridge’s opening, has yet to settle in, causing further delays. Experts argue that the bridge alone does not mean trade conditions have improved, as strict inspections and complex procedures limit cargo flow.

The opening ceremony also saw a diplomatic mix-up when Chinese trucks displayed only Chinese flags, while North Korean trucks displayed only North Korean flags. Overall, while the bridge can carry more cargo than the older, single-lane Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, trade prospects remain uncertain due to persistent customs delays and sanctions.