Kim Jong Un, the Chairman of North Korea, visited a bus assembly line in Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, on October 24, raising speculation about the potential expansion of automotive industry cooperation between North Korea and China. Given North Korea's significant demand for vehicles for public transportation and freight, Chinese bus manufacturing technology and production capabilities could become a key area for practical collaboration between the two countries.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Kim toured the automotive factory in Dandong alongside Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, where they observed the production facilities and received briefings on operations.
The automotive plant Kim visited is part of Huanghai Automobile, a subsidiary of the Shuguang Group. Huanghai produces buses and commercial vehicles in Dandong and has expanded its offerings to include electric buses. The company has previously exported electric vehicles to North Korea.
From North Korea's perspective, acquiring buses could be essential for replacing aging vehicles, expanding public transportation, and improving passenger transport between regions. Collaboration utilizing Chinese vehicles, parts, and production equipment could also enhance North Korea's transportation infrastructure.
During his meeting with Wang Huning, Kim expressed hope for expanding practical cooperation with China to bring tangible benefits to both nations' peoples. Wang also stated that the opening of the new Yalu River Bridge would facilitate increased human exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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