China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea resumed international passenger train services on Thursday, restoring a key rail link suspended since 2020 and signaling the gradual revival of cross-border exchanges after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A train from the northeastern Chinese border city of Dandong, Liaoning province, departed on schedule at 10 am on Thursday bound for Pyongyang, according to China State Railway Group Co. The train arrived in Sinuiju, the DPRK's border city across the Yalu River, where its number changed before continuing to Pyongyang and arriving at 6:07 pm local time.

Diplomats from the Chinese embassy in the DPRK, including Ambassador Wang Yajun, were at the station to welcome passengers arriving on the train in Pyongyang. Rail authorities from both countries said the resumption of the international service is expected to facilitate people-to-people exchanges, economic cooperation and cultural interaction between the neighboring nations.

According to the China State Railway Group Co, Thursday marked the official resumption of international passenger train services between Beijing and Pyongyang, as well as between Dandong and Pyongyang.

The Beijing-Pyongyang international passenger train operates in both directions every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, while the Dandong-Pyongyang service operates daily in both directions.

Tickets are currently only available at railway stations. Passengers traveling to Pyongyang can purchase tickets at stations in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanhaiguan in Hebei province, Shenyang and Dandong, according to the railway operator. Tickets for trains departing from Pyongyang are sold at Pyongyang Railway Station.

Rail authorities said preparations were made in advance to ensure safe operations, including inspections of locomotives and passenger carriages and additional training for personnel experienced in international train services.

Travel agencies said the route is currently open only to Chinese travelers holding business visas, while tourist visas have yet to resume. However, some agencies said they are preparing travel products for future tourist train trips as interest grows among potential visitors.

"I was excited when I heard the news," said Li Muyao, a 21-year-old college student in Hebei who hopes to visit the DPRK if tourist visas become available.

Residents in Dandong also welcomed the reopening of the rail link. Deng Zhi, a local resident, said the restored service could be a new travel option for people in the border region. "We used to travel to domestic destinations like Dalian and Shenyang," Deng said. "Now the train service gives us a new option to visit the DPRK. We hope to experience the culture and customs there when travel agencies launch tour packages."

Analysts say the reopening of the railway route — halted in 2020 during the pandemic — may signal a gradual recovery of cross-border tourism and trade.

"China and the DPRK are close neighbors with a long-standing traditional friendship," said Zhang Jinshan, a researcher at the tourism planning and development research institute of Beijing Union University. "The resumption of cross-border train services will make it easier for Chinese travelers to visit the DPRK and benefit from economic and trade exchanges."

The two countries share more than 1,300 kilometers of border and several land ports, making cross-border transport and tourism an important component of regional cooperation, he added.

At a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said maintaining regular operation of the railway service is important for facilitating exchanges.

"China and the DPRK are close neighbors and friends," Guo said. "China will continue to promote communication between railway authorities of both sides to create more convenient conditions for people-to-people exchanges."

Zhang Tongtong and Guo Yuhe contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at chengsi@chinadaily.com.cn