Failed attempt at China-N Korea connection

Dandong, China

TOWERING above the murky waters, the New Yalu River Bridge was supposed to symbolise a new era in relations between China and North Korea, helping to bring investment to landmark free trade zones jointly run with the impoverished and isolated country.

Costing 2.2 billion yuan (S$447 million) and partially completed last year, the dual-carriageway bridge today sits abandoned, the impressive border post on the Chinese side deserted and locked, not a soul to be seen.

On the North Korean side the unfinished bridge ends abruptly in a field, with little sign of infrastructure work happening.

Launched with great fanfare at a five-star Beijing hotel in 2012, the free trade zones close to the Chinese border city of Dandong were meant to be part of China's efforts to coax its erstwhile diplomatic all…