Xi Visits DPRK: Reactions from China's borderlands

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The Chinese president's visit is the first of its kind in 14 years and comes as the two countries mark seven decades of diplomatic ties. People in northeast China's border city of Dandong are watching the visit closely. And as CGTN's Guan Yang reports, hopes there are high for a positive outcome.

Li Chuanke is one of many lorry drivers in Dandong who transport goods in and out of the DPRK on a daily basis. Nowadays, he finishes work earlier since there are not as many trucks lining up at the customs checkpoint as before. He says the logistics company he works for had to cut down the number of drivers because of the shrinking businesses.

LI CHUANKE TRUCK DRIVER "We've lost almost two-thirds of our business following the sanctions, since many goods cannot be traded with the DPRK. Nowadays, my truck is mainly loaded with groceries like rice, flour and cooking oil."

GUAN YANG DANDONG, LIAONING PROVINCE "Here at the China-DPRK border, the sanctions on China's neighbor for more than a dozen years have caused stagnation in many sectors, particularly in trade and investments. Many here say the sooner the sanctions can be lifted, the better for their businesses."

The sanctions imposed on the DPRK are, in turn, hitting China's own 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.

HAN TAO TOUR GUIDE "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 going to the DPRK after President Xi's visit."

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. As the DPRK concentrates on economic development and improving its people's livelihoods, China is here to support.

LYU CHAO CO-DIRECTOR, LIAONING ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES "We are glad to see the DPRK showing some goodwill gestures and taking actions towards denuclearisation. 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."

While it is unclear how and when sanctions relief will come, what is certain is that China has the means and experience needed to help its neighbor country with an economic boost. GUAN YANG, CGTN.