Historically, Dandong and the Korean Peninsula developed through close mutual relations with the Yalu River in between. Since the modern age, Dandong and Sinuiju developed with the intent to invade the Japanese Empire, and has developed in complementary manner. Since the Chinese economic reform, Dandong became the biggest prosperous city among border cities in China. Also, since the North Korean famine, Dandong and Sinuiju emerged as the center of Sino-North Korean cooperation.
Historically, Dandong played a key role in continental intercourse between the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria. Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, the whole Manchuria region was a sealed area, but the Qing Dynasty and Joseon regularized trade through Dandong since the modern age. The Japanese Empire who won the Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War developed Dandong and Sinuiju as modern cities to invade Manchuria from Korean Peninsula. Specially, the Japanese Empire constructed the Amnokgang Bridge and brought the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria together.
After liberation, Dandong belonged to the People"s Republic of China through Chinese Civil War and Korean War. During the Korean War, Dandong played a role of channel into North Korea for Peoples Liberation Army, and 64th Air Force of the Soviet Union(Belov Corps) was stationed in Dandong as well. Dandong was a military base of the Allied Force of North Korea, China, and Soviet Union and played a logistics role during the Korean War. Confidential talks between leaders of the two countries were held frequently in Dandong and Sinuiju as a symbol of amity between North Korea and China. However, Dandong lagged behind since the Sino-Soviet dispute according to the strategy of Mao Zedong that he would not develop border regions. A large portion of border between North Korea and China has been closed since the Cultural Revolution.
Dandong is prospering as the largest border city of China since the Chinese economic reform. As the trade between North Korea and China resumed, exchange between North Korea and China through Dandong and Sinuiju is progressing vigorously. Exchanges of the three countries(South and North Korea+China) through Dandong have been conducted actively by the Sunshine Policy of Kim, Dae Joon, but a considerable number of Koreans in Dandong withdrew since the action taken in May 24, 2010.
The Kim, Jung Eun leadership is deepening dependence on China to maintain the system and to overcome financial difficulties. Therefore, a strategic position of Dandong is being magnified in SinoNorth Korea relations. It would be necessary to stabilize and prosper Dandong and Sinuiju and develop Hwanggumpyong with the development of North and South relations and SinoNorth Korean relationship.