North Korea and China resumed passenger train services between their capitals on Thursday after a six-year hiatus caused by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The first Beijing-bound train departed Pyongyang, marking the resumption of cross-border travel.
Key Takeaways
North Korea and China resumed cross-border passenger train services after six years on March 14, with daily operations between Pyongyang and Dandong and four weekly trips to Beijing. Tickets are restricted to business visa holders.
- First Beijing-bound train departed Pyongyang on March 14
- Daily service between Dandong and Pyongyang; four weekly trips to Beijing
- Tickets limited to business visa holders, sold out for inaugural trip
- Resumption aims to strengthen cross-border infrastructure and bilateral ties
- Human rights advocates warn of potential forced repatriation of North Korean defectors from China
The nine-car train was seen crossing the Amnok River bridge, also known as the Yalu River bridge, connecting North Korea's Sinuiju and China's Dandong. Some train cars had closed curtains while passengers were visible in others.
A five-car passenger train departed from the Chinese border city of Dandong at 10 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang at 6:07 p.m., according to Xinhua News Agency. The Dandong-Pyongyang passenger line will operate daily in both directions.
The Beijing-Pyongyang route will operate four days a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, as per a notice by China's railway authority. Tickets are restricted to business visa holders and were sold out for the inaugural trip on March 14 but remained available for subsequent trips.
The resumption of train services comes amid efforts by both countries to shore up cross-border infrastructure and rebuild bilateral ties that had been strained during the pandemic. China's foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges between the two nations, describing them as 'friendly neighbours'.
Meanwhile, human rights advocates have raised concerns about the potential forced repatriation of North Korean defectors from China. A North Korean defector in South Korea pleaded with Chinese authorities to stop the forced return of his mother, warning that her case could signal a renewed wave of deportations.
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