Jilin Provincial Government provides RMB 300 million for Wonjong-Rajin Port Road Project (Linked to Project ID#73438, #63575)

In 2010, China’s Jilin Provincial Government agreed to provide RMB 300 million for the Wonjong-Rajin Port Road Project. The purpose of this project was to expand and pave a 50-60 km road that connects the North Korean border town of Wonjong-ri (Wonjeong-Ri) and Rajin port. Prior to this project, the 9 meter-wide road was mostly unpaved and prone to frequent car accidents during rain. The project was reportedly undertaken by engineer brigades of the North Korean military (in order to save money). A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 9, 2011. Construction was completed on September 4, 2012. Then, on October 26, 2012, the road was officially opened for use. This project is part of the North Korea – China Cooperation in Chang-Ji-Tu Pilot Area Development Project, captured in Project ID#73438.

Additional details

1. This project is also known as the Wonjong-ri-Rajin Port Road Project, the Wonjeong-Ri-Rajin Port Road Project, and the Rajin-Wonjong Road Project. The Chinese project title is 远井里至罗津港的道路现代化建设. The project is part of a larger initiative called the North Korea-China Cooperation in Chang-Ji-Tu Pilot Area Development Project (as captured via Project ID#73438). See Project ID#63575 for the China-North Korea Friendship Farm Project, also part of the China Cooperation in Chang-Ji-Tu Pilot Area Development Project. 2. For the time being, AidData has flow-coded this project as a grant since there are no indications from official sources that a loan was issued. However, this issue merits further investigation. 3. On March 10, 2010, the Chinese state-controlled Global Times reported that the North Korean Government agreed to lease Pier No. 1 at Rajin Port to the Chuangli Group for 10 years. Chuangli Group, based at Dalian in China’s Liaoning province, reportedly agreed to revamp the road from Wonjong-ri (Wonjeong-Ri) and Rajin port in exchange for the lease. The Chuangli Group had previously invested $3.6 million in 2009 to rebuild Pier No. 1 and constructed a 40,000-square-meter warehouse at the port. The leasing agreement prompted some concern that China might be seeking to establish its first naval base in North Korea with access to the Sea of Japan.

Number of official sources

0

Number of total sources

15