JiAn Border Port in Tonghua, Jilin

JiAn Border Port (集安口岸) is a significant land border crossing between China and North Korea. Located in Ji’an City (集安市), Jilin Province (吉林省), China, it is strategically positioned along the Yalu River (鸭绿江), directly across from Manpo City (满浦市), in North Korea’s Chagang Province (慈江道). The Yalu River Bridge (鸭绿江大桥) connects China’s Meiji Railway (梅集铁路) with the North Korean railway system, making JiAn one of the three major railway transport lines for China-North Korea trade.

Key Statistics:

  • Location: Ji’an City, Jilin Province, China

  • Border: China-North Korea

  • Opened: January 1946

  • Port Type: National Class I Road and Railway Port (中国对外开放一类口岸)

  • Annual Cargo Volume: 100,000 tons

  • Annual Passenger Traffic: 50,000 passengers

  • Bridge Type: Road and Rail Dual-Use Bridge (公路铁路两用桥)

Historical Significance

Key Historical Events:

  • 1950 Korean War (抗美援朝): JiAn Port played a vital role during the Korean War, with over 420,000 Chinese volunteers crossing this border to aid North Korea, earning it the nickname “First Crossing for the Korean War”.

  • 1954: JiAn officially started international transportation services, reaching a peak of 230,000 tons of cargo traffic in that year.

  • 1964: The passenger transport function switched from ferries to rail transportation, with daily trains operating between JiAn and North Korea.

Infrastructure and Facilities

Key Infrastructure:

  • Road Port: Opened in 2019, this facility spans 10.28 hectares and includes 12 buildings such as passenger and cargo inspection halls. It has a design capacity of 500,000 tons of cargo and 200,000 passengers per year.

  • Rail Port: The Yalu River Railway Bridge (鸭绿江铁路大桥), at 589.23 meters in length, connects the Chinese and North Korean railway lines, continuing to handle freight traffic.

  • Supporting Services: The port is equipped with parking lots, docks (such as JiAn Port Dock, 鸭绿江游船码头), and border inspection facilities.

Upcoming Developments:

  • Infrastructure Upgrades: In 2025, plans to enhance the port’s tourism infrastructure will be implemented, including expanded logistics centers and upgraded border inspection services.

Border Crossing Management

Operation:

  • Port Hours: The road port operates daily, with cargo inspection focused on weekdays and passenger inspection services available year-round.

  • Smart Inspection System: The port has implemented a 5G-enabled inspection system that shortens cargo clearance times to just 18 minutes.

  • Cargo and Passenger Traffic: The port manages an average of 50,000 passenger crossings annually.

Trade and Economic Development

Key Exports and Imports:

  • Exports: The main exports from JiAn include grains, agricultural products, hardware, and seafood.

  • Imports: North Korea exports timber, pine nuts, and mineral products, which are critical raw materials for Chinese industries.

Economic Impact:

In 2014, JiAn’s foreign trade reached a total of 67.36 million USD. With the recovery of the North Korean economy and the implementation of open-door policies, the trade between JiAn and North Korea has steadily increased, benefiting local businesses in Ji’an City.

Future Trends:

  • Growing Trade: The improvement of North Korea’s trade environment and the increase in Chinese investments in mining and timber processing are expected to drive further growth in JiAn’s trade with North Korea.

  • Chinese Investments: China has invested in North Korea’s mining sector, including a significant partnership to develop the Maoshan Iron Ore Mine (茂山铁矿) in North Korea.

Cultural and Tourism Development

Scenic Attractions:

  • Yalu River Scenic Area (鸭绿江游船码头): A popular tourist attraction offering boat rides along the Yalu River, with views of both China and North Korea.

  • Red Tourism Routes: The area is part of the G331 National Road (G331国道) red tourism circuit, with historical landmarks related to the Korean War and Chinese military efforts.

  • Cultural Exhibits: The port area is home to exhibits detailing the history of the Korean War and the role JiAn played in it.

Upcoming Developments:

  • 2025 Plans: JiAn Border Port will be integrated into the “Along the Border Tourism Corridor” initiative, further promoting tourism alongside trade.

  • Commemorative Events: In August 2025, an exhibition will be held to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Korean War.