Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a video speech at the opening ceremony of the new China-DPRK Yalu River bridge connecting northeast China's Liaoning Province and North Pyongan Province of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Oct. 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese premier Li Qiang on Thursday called on China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to take the opening of the new China-DPRK Yalu River bridge as an opportunity to continuously optimize port clearance, enhance connectivity, tap the potential for cooperation in border areas, and improve the well-being of the two peoples.
"The bridge is bound to become a new landmark symbolizing the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK," Li said.
Li made the remarks when delivering a video speech at the opening ceremony of the bridge connecting China's Liaoning Province and North Pyongan Province of the DPRK.
Noting that the bridge is an important cross-border infrastructure project that General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have jointly cared about and promoted, Li said that with the joint efforts of both sides, the opening of the bridge will not only effectively promote economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, but also further enhance personnel exchanges and strengthen the emotional bond between the two peoples.
China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, said Li, adding that at present, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries, China-DPRK relations are entering a new stage and opening a new chapter.
Xi has pointed out that no matter how the international landscape evolves, the firm position of China's Party and government to attach great importance to the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK will remain unchanged; the firm support for Kim in leading the DPRK's socialist cause will remain unchanged; and the determination to safeguard the common interests of both sides and maintain a favorable strategic environment will remain unchanged, said Li.
China is willing to work with the DPRK to continue making efforts to implement the important consensus reached by the two top leaders, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and enhance multilateral coordination, so as to continuously deepen the development of China-DPRK relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples, Li said.
Pak Thae Song, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, delivered a video speech. ■
