China is building a giant new tourism and economic zone in a remote area near North Korea’s “holy” city of Samjiyon and Mount Paektu, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery and Chinese media.

The new Chinese project is aimed at boosting sightseeing and trade in sanctioned goods and follows similar initiatives elsewhere along the border in recent years, as the two countries continue preparations to resume cross-border exchanges.

Work appeared to start on the customs and crossing area of the “Jilin Antu Changbai Mountain Border Tourism Experimental Zone” project last October, when