North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in China via the newly opened bridge on Saturday. He arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong via the New Yalu River Bridge linking the two countries.

China’s top political adviser Wang Huning met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Chinese state media reported.

Wang conveyed President Xi Jinping’s "greetings and best wishes to Kim," Xinhua reported.

China and North Korea pledged to "strengthen strategic communication and cooperation to safeguard their sovereignty, security and development interests."

The two countries also vowed to expand people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade cooperation through the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge.

The four-lane bridge was completed in 2014 but remained unused for 12 years due to a lack of connecting roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side.

It officially opened about a week ago , marking a step towards strengthening economic ties between the neighbouring countries.

China is North Korea’s largest…