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Dandong Awaits Bridge Opening, but Economic Hopes Remain Muted
A new bridge is meant to connect the Chinese city of Dandong with North Korea.
China finished its part in 2014, but the bridge has not opened because North Korea had not finished the roads and customs buildings leading to it.
Work has now resumed, but officials have not said when people or goods can cross.
Dandong once did a lot of trade with North Korea, but business has been difficult.
The city’s economy grew only a little in the first half of the year.
Some residents hope the bridge will help, while others do not expect much change.
North Korea is still closed to Chinese tourists.
For now, most goods cross using an older bridge nearby.
The New Yalu River Bridge linking Dandong, China, with North Korea was completed on the Chinese side in 2014, but its opening has been delayed.
North Korea left approach roads and customs facilities unfinished amid worsening relations over nuclear tests and subsequent UN sanctions.
Work has resumed, but neither country has announced an opening date and no traffic was crossing during the report.
Dandong’s economy grew just 0.3% in the first half of the year, while investment fell by a third and new home sales dropped 28%.
Residents and local businesses expressed limited confidence that the bridge would bring much new business, in part because North Korea remains closed to Chinese tourists.
- Who
- The governments of China and North Korea, and residents and businesses in Dandong.
- What
- A long-delayed bridge linking Dandong with North Korea may soon open, but locals are unsure it will improve business.
- Where
- Dandong, in northeastern China, and the border with North Korea.
- When
- The report was published on October 8; the bridge opening date has not been set.
- Why
- China built the bridge in hopes of boosting trade ties with North Korea.
Potential economic benefit
Reasons for skepticism
Whether the bridge will help Dandong
Potential economic benefit
The bridge could signal improved relations and provide a new route for trade.
Reasons for skepticism
Some residents and shopkeepers doubt it will bring much business, noting that North Korean citizens generally cannot visit and the local economy remains weak.
Prospects for cross-border commerce
Potential economic benefit
Trade ties have recovered, with China’s exports to North Korea reaching a six-year high last year.
Reasons for skepticism
UN sanctions have restricted trade in goods including seafood, farm products, steel and industrial machinery, and local businesses report slow activity.
Key facts
- Bridge completed on Chinese side
- 2014
- Bridge opening date
- Not announced
- Dandong economic growth
- 0.3% in the first half of the year
- Investment in Dandong
- Fell by one-third
- New home sales in Dandong
- Down 28%
- China’s exports to North Korea
- $2.3 billion last year, a six-year high and up 25% annually
- Main current crossing
- An 83-year-old bridge about 10 km upstream
- North Korean tourist access
- North Korea has not reopened to Chinese tourists since closing its borders in 2020
Quotes
Manager of the Guomenwan trade complex
An anonymous manager of a Dandong trade-zone complex.
“It won’t bring much new business here as regular citizens can’t visit, but they’re still our friends.”
theprint.in
“They’ve cut themselves off from the world.”
theprint.in
Sources
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