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Overview

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

Commitments (Constant USD, 2023)$57,000,500
Commitment Year•2010Country of Activity•Democratic People's Republic of KoreaDirect Recipient Country of Incorporation•Democratic People's Republic of KoreaSector•Transport And StorageFlow Type•Grant

Status

Project lifecycle

Completion

Pipeline: PledgePipeline: CommitmentImplementationCompletion

Timeline

Key dates

Commitment date
Mar 21, 2010
Start (actual)
Jun 9, 2011
End (actual)
Oct 26, 2012

Stakeholders

Organizations involved in projects and activities supported by financial and in-kind transfers from Chinese government and state-owned entities

Funding agencies

Government Agencies

  • Jilin Provincial Government

Receiving agencies

Government Agencies

  • Government of North Korea

Implementing agencies

Government Agencies

  • Government of North Korea

Loan description

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

Narrative

Full Description

Project narrative

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 Record ID#73438.

Staff comments

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 Record ID#73438). See Record 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.