Bridge linking China and North Korea opens

China and North Korea officially opened their most significant land border crossing on Thursday, aiming to rejuvenate trade and commerce

after years of strained ties and pandemic-related disruptions.

Trucks festooned with national flags of their neighbours drove across the long-delayed 3 kilometre New Yalu River Bridge. The bridge's towering pylons also decked in flags

The bridge links the Chinese city of Dandong with the North Korean city of Sinuju.

The official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday that both sides will hold a ceremony for the launch of the bridge.

The bridge was initially expected to be in use by 2014 but that date came and went with no signs of an opening, a frustration for Dandong residents who were keen

for an economic boon for their border city.