PYONGYANG, March 13 (Xinhua) -- An international passenger train, starting from Beijing, arrived in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Friday.

The train departed Beijing on Thursday, as per a schedule released earlier this week by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

The company said on Tuesday that international passenger trains connecting China and the DPRK would resume operations in both directions starting Thursday.

Linking Beijing via Dandong, Liaoning Province, with Pyongyang, the services will 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 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Dandong-Pyongyang train service will operate daily in both directions, the operator added. ■