Dandong of Liaoning Province, formerly known as Andong, is known as Northeast China's largest border city. It is a window for the outside world to observe the DPRK. After 60 years of armistice, the Korean peninsula once again is shrouded in the shadows of war. Dandong, necessarily, can not keep itself out of the affair. This is the fate of Dandong.

Dandong, like many other cities in China, has been on the rise, at least in terms of its real estate industry.

Photo taken on April 11 shows the New Yalu River Bridge is undergoing construction. [Photo: DFDAILY.COM]

North Korea's parachute training at the border

North Korea's every move sets pulses racing all over the world. And Dandong is a window for the outside world to observe the country.

On the morning of April 11, a Japanese reporter witnessed at least 50 people parachuting from a helicopter at the border, which may have been part of military airborne training. The Kyodo News reporter noted that the training lasted over two hours. Such activity was only rarely seen in the past.

As of late, more uncommon activity has been spotted in the area. From early April this year onwards, taxi driver Liang Chuanbin realized they could receive the DPRK's radio station signal. Music would be on the air, yet often interrupted by interludes of loud and clear propagandistic content. "This seldom happened in the past."

Liang also noted that some time earlier, the mobile signal in Dandong, especially along the Yalu River, was very poor. No reception was very common. This was obviously not the case with Liang's cell phone alone.

Additionally, ships moored in the Yalu River had come to a halt recently. Liang didn't know what type of ships they were, but he was certain they weren't private ships or dredging vessels.