Crowds gather for China-North Korea bridge opening

Crowds gathered in Dandong, Liaoning Province, on Thursday morning as China and North Korea are due to open on a new bridge linking the nations, 12 years after its construction.

Beijing has vowed it will spur trade and "enhance the well-being of the two peoples". The 3,026-metre New Yalu River vehicle bridge links China's northeastern border city of Dandong. The four-lane structure was completed in 2014 but its opening was delayed due to a lack of connecting roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

North Korea sealed its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic, and train journeys between the East Asian neighbours only restarted in March after a six-year halt.