Kim crosses new bridge into China as trade ties warm

SEOUL, Oct 24: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday, Xinhua reported, crossing a newly opened bridge in a symbolic move seen as highlighting Beijing and Pyongyang's push to expand trade ties.

Kim was accompanied during his visit by China's fourth-highest-ranked official Wang Huning, who conveyed greetings from President Xi Jinping, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Kim arrived in Dandong via the New Yalu River Bridge connecting North Korea and China, a South Korean government official said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

China, which fought alongside North Korea in the 1950-1953 Korean War, remains Pyongyang's main economic and diplomatic backer and accounts for most of its official trade.�" REUTERS