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The historic visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is the first of its kind in 14 years and comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Residents in the northeast China city of Dandong at the border with DPRK have high hopes for a positive outcome from Xi's state visit.
Li Chuanke is one of many Chinese truck drivers in northeast China city of Dandong, who transport goods in and out of the DPRK on a daily basis. /CGTN Photo
Li Chuanke is one of many truck drivers in Dandong who transport goods in and out of the DPRK daily. Nowadays, he finishes work earlier since there are not as many trucks lining up at the customs checkpoint as before. He said the logistics company he works for had to cut down the number of drivers because of shrinking businesses with the DPRK.
Chinese truck driver Li Chuanke says the logistics company he works for had to cut down the number of drivers because of shrinking businesses with the DPRK. /CGTN Photo
"We've lost almost two-thirds of our business following the (United Nations) sanctions since many goods cannot be traded with the DPRK. Nowadays, my truck is mainly loaded with groceries like rice, flour and cooking oil," said Li.
The sanctions imposed on the DPRK are, in turn, hitting China's businesses across the board. However, experts say tourist numbers to the DPRK have been increasing since the historic inter-Korean summit last year, with many now thinking of the DPRK as a peaceful and safe country.
Tour guide Han Tao has organized trips to the DPRK for 18 years.
"From a business point of view, the good thing about tour packages in the DPRK is that the prices stay stable despite changes in off-peak seasons. And we believe we'll see a surge of tourists to the DPRK after President Xi's visit," Han told CGTN.
Han Tao (L), a tour guide from northeast China city of Dandong, believes there will be a surge of tourists to the DPRK after President Xi's visit. /CGTN Photo
Chinese tourists dressed in traditional Korean costumes pose for pictures by the Yalu River, which serves as the border between China and the DPRK. /CGTN Photo
Trucks passing the China-DRPK Friendship Bridge across the Yalu River. /CGTN Photo
China-DPRK relations have turned a new page following a series of top-level diplomatic events. Top leaders from both countries have met five times since March last year.
China-DPRK relations have turned a new page following a series of top-level diplomatic events. /Xinhua Photo
Lv Chao, an expert on Korean studies, told CGTN: "We are glad to see the DPRK showing some goodwill gestures and taking actions towards denuclearization. If sanctions can be lifted in the future, that would greatly improve the economic situation there. And China has always been firm in playing a constructive role in this respect since economic growth demands a peaceful environment."