PYONGYANG, March 12 (Xinhua) -- An international passenger train from Dandong in northeast China's Liaoning Province to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has just arrived in Pyongyang. Xinhua reporters witnessed the arrival at a railway station in central Pyongyang on Thursday.

Photo: Xinhua

China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. announced Tuesday that international passenger trains connecting China and the DPRK will begin operating in both directions on Thursday.

The services will connect Beijing and the northeastern border city of Dandong with the DPRK capital Pyongyang, helping to facilitate cross-border travel and boost economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries, the Chinese railway operator said.

Trains between Beijing and Pyongyang will run four days a week, with two-way services scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while the Dandong-Pyongyang train service will operate daily in both directions, said the Chinese railway operator.