China was visited on a legal basis by 40,200 North Korean citizens during the first quarter of 2012, according to statistics released yesterday by the Chinese authorities. The number represents an increase of 40% over the 2011 figure (28,600 people), and the 6th straight quarterly increase in visitor numbers since the 4th quarter of 2010.
According to the China National Tourist Office, 19,300 of the latest total entered China for the purpose of work, representing 48%. A further 10,800 entered on business, while 1,100 people entered for the purpose of tourism.
Conversely, less than 100 entered legally to visit family or friends, while the remaining 9,000 entered for unspecified reasons.
19,100 of the visitors were between 45 and 64 years of age, while 17,200 were between 25 and 44. 33,200 were men, while just 7,000 were women.
17,400 entered through China’s ports by boat, while 9,300 entered by car, 8,200 by plane and 3,900 by train. 1,400 entered on foot.
