Kim Jong Un makes surprise trip to China across newly opened Yalu River bridge

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unexpectedly arrived in China on Saturday, 24 October, crossing the border between the two countries on a recently opened bridge over the Yalu River. It is his first visit to the neighbouring country in more than a year. China is North Korea's largest trading partner and one of its most important political allies, so the trip is closely watched abroad.

Welcomed by a senior Chinese official

Kim arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong, where he was met by Wang Huning, one of China's most senior officials, who also conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the visit, the North Korean leader toured a car factory and a Korean War memorial site, where he paid tribute to Chinese soldiers who died in the conflict. Representatives of both countries said they were ready to expand economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations. After the one-day visit, Kim returned to North Korea.

A bridge that waited 12 years

Particular attention has been drawn to the new bridge, roughly three kilometres long, which Kim used to cross the border. Its construction was completed back in 2014, but it went unused for 12 years because the necessary infrastructure on the North Korean side was not finished. It was opened to traffic only this month, creating new opportunities for trade between the two countries.

Symbolic timing

The visit took place a day before the anniversary of China's entry into the Korean War. In recent years Pyongyang has also moved significantly closer to Russia.

Meanwhile, attention is turning to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum due to be held in China in November, which US President Donald Trump is expected to attend. This has fuelled speculation about a possible meeting between Trump and Kim, but nothing of the kind has been confirmed so far.