China's first North Korea-bound train in six years set to depart from Beijing

The first passenger train service between China and North Korea after a six-year hiatus is scheduled to set off from Beijing on Thursday, part of a series of moves by China to shore up cross-border infrastructure and rebuild bilateral ties.



Following a 24 hour and 41 minute journey skirting north of the Bohai Sea and a stopover in China's northeastern border city of Dandong, train K27 from Beijing is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang at 6:07 p.m. on Friday, according to a Tuesday notice from China's railway authority.



China and North Korea are "friendly neighbours" and a cross-border passenger train service facilitates people-to-people exchanges between the two, China's foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters on Wednesday.



China also supports the strengthening of communication between authorities on both sides to create more convenient conditions for bilateral personnel exchanges, the spokesperson added.



The train service was suspended when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020.