North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed into China on Saturday via a newly opened border bridge, marking his first visit to the country in more than a year and signaling warmer economic ties between the two nations.

Kim arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong after traveling across the New Yalu River Bridge, which connects Sinuiju in North Korea to Dandong in China's Liaoning province. The 3-kilometer structure opened earlier this month after a 12-year delay and is expected to ease logistics bottlenecks for trade in heavy equipment, raw materials, and energy products.

During the one-day trip, Kim met with Wang Huning, China's fourth-highest-ranking official and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Wang conveyed cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping. Kim also toured a Korean War memorial to honor Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korean forces and visited an automobile factory in Dandong.

The visit came one day before the 76th anniversary of China's entry into the 1950-53 Korean War. Kim was accompanied by senior officials including his sister Kim Yo-jong, Jo Yong-won, and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. On the return crossing, Kim stated that the bridge would fulfill its mission of linking the two countries and joining the minds of their peoples.

The bridge opening and Kim's trip follow two leader summits in the past 13 months, including Xi's visit to Pyongyang in June. China remains North Korea's primary economic and diplomatic partner, and the developments point to efforts to expand trade and personnel exchanges after pandemic disruptions and prior strains in relations.

This marks Kim's sixth visit to China since assuming power in 2011. The new crossing is positioned to support increased bilateral commerce as both sides seek to strengthen longstanding ties.