China's Premier Reaffirms Support for North Korea as New Yalu River Bridge Opens
The new 1.2‑kilometer bridge over the Yalu River was inaugurated on March 12, 2026, linking China’s Dandong with North Korea’s Kaesong. The structure features 12 traffic lanes and a 500‑meter pedestrian walkway, a first in the region. The opening ceremony drew officials from both sides, underscoring a renewed diplomatic focus. The bridge’s completion signals a potential shift in trade dynamics between the two neighbours.
What Happened
On March 12, 2026, the Yalu River Bridge opened during a formal ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping of China and North Korean delegation led by Vice‑Premier Kim Yong-ju. The bridge, a joint project spanning 1,200 meters, connects Dandong in Liaoning Province to Kaesong in North Korea’s South Pyongan Province. Xi praised the "unbreakable friendship" between the two nations and highlighted the bridge as a symbol of continued cooperation. Reuters reported that the bridge’s design includes 12 lanes for vehicles, a 500‑meter pedestrian walkway, and a 3‑million‑cubic‑
Despite being built for heavy freight, the bridge’s pedestrian walkway is expected to carry more daily foot traffic than the vehicle lanes during the first year.
