It marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China, and the signboard was removed, let alone the opening of the "New Aprok River Bridge."

[Anchor]
To mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China, there have been reports that the "New Apnok River Bridge," which was completed 10 years ago, will be opened.

Not only was the speculation wrong, but YTN coverage confirmed that the Chinese authorities removed the signboard.

This is a field report from correspondent Kang Jeong-gyu in Dandong, China.

[Reporter]
It is the "New Yalu River Bridge" built by the Chinese authorities with an investment of 2.2 billion yuan (about 417.9 billion won).

It was completed in 2014, but it has not been opened for 10 years.

There have been a series of domestic and international reports that an opening event will be held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China, but as you can see, it was wrong.

Recently, YTN cameras caught the scene of removing even the signboard, let alone opening it in the atmosphere of North Korea and China.

On the top of the pillar of the Sangsa Bridge, there were seven letters of "Jojo Yalu River Bridge" in Chinese characters, but it was removed a while ago.

[Merchant near the Shin-Aprok River Bridge: (Did you know the signboard was removed?)] I took it off! About a month? It's probably been about 20 days.]

Locals picked December 1st as the opening date, but even this is hard to believe.

[Dandong Local Taxi Driver: I don't know if it's real or fake, but there was a notice dated December 1st.Yes.

But last year and the year before last, there were a lot of comments that they would come to cut the tape in the center on May 6th and what day of the month, but no one came in the end.]

Yesterday, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between North Korea and China, President Xi Jinping and Chairman Kim Jong-un exchanged ceremonial celebrations.

Even the closing ceremony of the 'Year of Friendship between North Korea and China', which was designated for the second time this year, has not been heard.

The opening ceremony in Pyongyang in April was attended by Zhao Riji, the third-ranked member of the Standing Committee of the People's University of China.

According to custom, Choi Ryong-hae, the standing chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, will return to the closing ceremony in Beijing.

However, in North Korea, the Supreme People's Assembly is held today (7th), and the foundation day of the Workers' Party is also scheduled on the 10th.

It also coincided with China's National Day holiday.

That's why people say we should wait and see after mid-October.

I'm Kang Jeong-gyu from YTN in front of the still tightly closed New Aprokgang Bridge.