China restarts direct air travel to North Korea, marking the first direct flights between the two countries in six years.

On Monday, China's national airline, Air China, resumed direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. This comes shortly after the restoration of passenger train services between the two capitals. According to Chinese state media, the Chinese ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, and other diplomats warmly welcomed the flight.

Interestingly, passenger train services from China to North Korea also resumed on March 12. This is a significant development as both flights and passenger trains to North Korea had been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It is worth noting that North Korea's national carrier, Air Koryo, had already resumed flights between the two capitals in 2023.

However, the country had banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic. Recently, they have started easing these restrictions, with a Russian tour group being the first to enter the country in 2024. Before the ban, Chinese tour groups made up 90% of all visitors to North Korea.

Therefore, the delay in resuming Chinese tours has caught many observers by surprise. It is no secret that China is North Korea's biggest trading partner and a major ally. However, Beijing has expressed disapproval over the years at North Korea's test-launches of missiles that could potentially target South Korea and the United States.

In September, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a historic visit to Beijing to attend a grand military parade. This was the first time in decades that a North Korean leader had been present at a Chinese military parade. The two countries share a long and complex history, and this visit was seen as a significant step towards strengthening their relationship.

In conclusion, the resumption of direct flights and passenger train services between Beijing and Pyongyang is a positive sign of the easing tensions between China and North Korea. As the world continues to navigate the challenges brought by the pandemic, it is heartening to see countries coming together and rebuilding connections.