China Passport: 80 entries/exits from North Korea
China North Korea Passport One of the most amazing passports I have ever seen!
Have you ever seen a passport with 80 trips in and out of North Korea? It carries 336 stamps from China and the DPRK, plus one from South Korea. Who was this woman, traveling so often in just one year, 2012–13, to such a secretive country? We can only wonder.
Meet Shumei Li, a 40-year-old from Jilin (city), a region bordering North Korea and Russia. In 1932, the area was incorporated into Manchukuo, a puppet state set up by Japan.
Chinese people do work in North Korea, but their presence is generally limited to specific sectors and circumstances. Here are some key areas where Chinese workers or professionals are found in North Korea: China North Korea Passport
- Construction and Infrastructure – Chinese companies have been involved in building projects in North Korea, particularly in border cities. Some Chinese workers are sent for these projects.
- Trade and Business – China is North Korea’s largest trading partner, and some Chinese businesspeople work in North Korea, especially in joint ventures or trade-related activities.
- Restaurants and Businesses – Chinese-owned businesses, particularly restaurants, operate in Pyongyang and other cities. Some Chinese nationals work in these establishments.
- Mining and Natural Resources – Chinese firms have interests in North Korean mining and resource extraction, though this has been affected by international sanctions. China North Korea Passport
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs) – SEZ have seen Chinese investment and Chinese workers involved in business operations.
However, due to strict North Korean regulations, foreign workers, including Chinese, are heavily monitored, and their numbers remain relatively small compared to other countries with significant Chinese migrant labor. Additionally, international sanctions have curtailed some Chinese business activities in North Korea.
Still, this Chinese travel document—a 2008 passport—is a real gem for collectors of old passports. It’s almost unbelievable that it now rests on my desk before me – with 336 stamps in total, 180 from NORTH KOREA! China North Korea Passport
Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
Featured in media incl. CNN, BBC, Newsweek. Awarded by the U.S. Department of State.
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