Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.telegraph.co.uk
North Korea’s increasingly close ties to Russia, spurred on by its war in Ukraine, appear to have prompted Beijing to follow suit.
Last month, North Korea opened a new land bridge with Russia to increase the movement of people and goods.
For the opening on Thursday, trucks adorned with the flags of both countries staged a ceremonial drive-by, with crowds of spectators on the Chinese side.
“[Bilateral] relations are entering a new phase, embarking on a new chapter,” Li Qiang, the Chinese premier, said in a video address at the opening of the bridge.
China’s foreign ministry added that the bridge would “further promote economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and enhance the well-being of their peoples”.
Pak Thae-song, the North Korean premier, also delivered an address.
