A ginseng store owner displays top-quality ginseng at her store in Tonghua, Jilin province. Cui Meng / China Daily

Obstacles to cooperation

"Despite the positive signs and achievements, economic cooperation between China and DPRK still has long way to go.

"There are big differences between the two countries in terms of economic systems, ways of thinking and modes of action. We can expect that bilateral cooperation will encounter many problems," said Professor Zhang.

She added that the two zones will have to upgrade their supplies of water, electricity, gas, land and raw materials."

However, a senior Chinese official took a different point of view.

"Enhancing cooperation between China and the DPRK is the common aspiration of the two governments and their peoples. We hope people will recognize the greater good. This cooperation is like a new baby, who needs tender loving care instead of criticism," said the official, who declined to be named

Some Chinese enterprises that have invested in the DPRK reportedly suffered losses and blamed the investment environment.

"This is normal in transnational business. It's not objective to attribute all the problems to the DPRK. We cannot blame the DPRK, (Those problems were) only individual cases. There have also been many successful cases in the past," he said.

"China has accumulated a great deal of experience in the 30 years since the opening-up. We cannot measure the DPRK by our standards because their reform has just started. These problems are inevitable during the development process. Even in China, there are still a lot of problems," he said.

"The cooperation is an attempt at innovation. Our goal is to achieve a win-win situation. Both the governments and enterprises have made great efforts to promote the work. Moreover, in the current international situation, the new 'Silk Road' is significant for the economic development of Northeast Asia. The Sino-DPRK joint management committee has been founded to protect investors' rights. We will abide by the agreement between the two countries to solve the distribution problems that have occurred during the transnational business", he added.

The DPRK will hold the Sixth Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly on Sept 25 and experts said that some economic reforms may be unveiled at the event, according to the media in the Republic of Korea.

"The cooperation between China and the DPRK is bound to face challenges, but I believe both sides will make strenuous efforts to alleviate them, because this is the latest trend in Sino-DPRK cooperation. In addition, the DPRK will gain greater understanding of market economies and that will help promote the country's economic development," said Professor Zhang.

Meanwhile, back in Hunchun, Zhao is looking forward to the opening of the Rason port road because it will save his company time and improve efficiency.

"We are confident in our ability to work as a new economic channel linking Northeastern China and the south," he said.

Han Junhong contributed to the story.

Contact the writer at wuyong@chinadaily.com.cn