China and North Korea's capital passenger trains to resume in five years, new developments in cross-border transportation during summer peak season

NHK: Passenger trains between the capitals of China and North Korea begin to resume operations after a five-year suspension

NHK reported on July 12 that the Chinese and North Korean railway authorities have reached an agreement to resume passenger train services between Beijing and Pyongyang, which will be the first resumption since the service was suspended in January 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Technical details are currently being finalized, and it is expected to be operational as early as August.

This resumption plan coincides with the summer travel peak for Chinese railways. Between July 1 and August 31, Beijing Station and Beijing Chaoyang Station have added 27.5 pairs of trains to cope with the increased passenger flow. Among them, Beijing Chaoyang Station has added 19 extra pairs of trains heading to cities like Shenyang, Changchun, and Harbin in the northeast, laying the foundation for the resumption of cross-border routes.

Scholars who have long studied Sino-North Korean relations analyzed that although the resumption of train services starts from the demand for people's livelihood, the reconnection of transportation networks often catalyzes broader interactions. The outside world noticed that since May, the frequency of technical inspections and training trips by North Koreans to China has significantly increased, and there are also signs of relaxation in group visa arrangements at the border areas.

During the negotiations for the resumption, on July 9, the Chinese embassy in North Korea held a high-profile reception to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-North Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. Ambassador Wang Yaying and Kim Yun-sok, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, both emphasized the need to jointly implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries and promote the spirit of the treaty. This event, lasting nearly three hours, was seen by observers as a clear signal of the warming of bilateral relations. However, according to Reuters analysis, North Korea has recently deepened its military cooperation with Russia, including sending engineering troops to the Ukrainian battlefield. Its multi-dimensional diplomatic strategy means that the depth of the improvement in Sino-North Korean relations still needs to be continuously observed.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837420740047884/

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