Chinese authorities in Liaoning Province bordering North Korea have strengthened local COVID-19 control measures, potentially upending efforts to restart overland trade between the PRC and DPRK, recent government announcements reviewed by NK News indicate.

Late last month, Chinese officials in the northeastern province noted an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Dalian, a major port city just a few hours west of the border city of Dandong. On Nov. 7, authorities declared Dalian a “key control area,” a status that subjects residents to additional travel restrictions and testing requirements. 

In response, Dandong’s local disease control agency