# China-North Korea Yalu River bridge opening > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-north-korea-yalu-river-bridge-opening > Updated: 2026-10-16T06:47:15.000Z. Sources: 64. Developments: 2. China and North Korea have officially opened the New Yalu River Bridge to traffic, connecting the Chinese city of Dandong with the North Korean city of Sinuiju. The four-lane, cable-stayed structure was completed following a 12-year delay, during which time North Korea had not finished its side of the connecting roads and customs facilities. Funded by China at a cost of approximately 2.2 billion yuan, the bridge is intended to facilitate bilateral trade, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. It serves as a modern alternative to the aging Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, which currently handles over 70% of official trade between the two nations but is limited by weight restrictions and one-way traffic. Chinese Premier Li Qiang described the bridge as a symbol of “traditional friendship” and called for both nations to optimize customs clearance and enhance cooperation in border zones. The opening follows high-level diplomatic engagement between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, marking a step toward revitalizing commerce that had been disrupted by the pandemic. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-16: China and North Korea open new Yalu River border bridge A new bridge over the Yalu River has opened, linking Dandong, China, and Sinuiju, North Korea, to boost bilateral trade and connectivity. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-and-north-korea-open-new-yalu-river-border-bridge ### 2026-10-14: New Yalu River Bridge opens to connect China and North Korea China and North Korea officially opened the New Yalu River Bridge on October 15, 2026, connecting Dandong and Sinuiju to boost trade and connectivity after a 12-year delay. 60 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-and-north-korea-to-open-new-yalu-river-bridge --- Cite as: China-North Korea Yalu River bridge opening. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-north-korea-yalu-river-bridge-opening