Speculation

Zhang added that local people have not reacted to speculation in some parts of China that Dandong could be a future Shenzhen－the city in Guangdong province that was the country's first special economic zone. The speculation erupted after Kim announced plans to focus on economic development during a meeting in the DPRK on April 20.

"Those people are so hotheaded. They need to come to Dandong and look across the Yalu River at night. When they see the darkness of Sinuiju as a result of the electricity shortage, and the status of the new bridge across the river they won't believe everything they read about the DPRK," he said, with a laugh.