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You see them every day of your life in China yet there's a good chance you have little to no idea what they really mean.
Chinese license plates all betray a wealth of information about the vehicle and its owner. And while having a firm foundation in Chinese and knowing your provincial abbreviations will definitely give you a head start, that's only the beginning of the story told in a series of cryptic letter and number combinations.
Luckily, though, you now have here the most comprehensive English-language guide to the license plates of China that you'll find online - all in a handy pocket-sized (if you've got a smart phone) format to help you decipher registration codes wherever you go in the country.
Format and coloring
For private vehicles, licence plates begin with a character denoting the province in which the vehicle is registered.
The full stories behind the provinces' names and how they acquired their single-character abbreviations can be found in our previous explainer 'How every Chinese province really got its name.'
After this, a letter denotes the city or even sub-division within the province that the vehicle belongs to. The letter I tends to be eschewed, however, owing to the resemblance it bears to the Chinese character 工 gong and the potential for confusion this could create.
Private vehicles are issued blue plates with white lettering; farm vehicles are green on white and larger vehicles such as trucks and buses, as well as motorcycles, receive yellow plates.
Police vehicles are black on white and suffixed with the character 警 (police) in red. Airport license plates are also green with white and bear the designation 民航 (civil aviation). For automobile tests, license plates are yellow with black characters and are suffixed with 试, short for test.
Before 2007, all vehicles owned by foreigners were issued black plates. Although this was deemed discriminatory, foreign-owned vehicles are still more subtly distinguished by all falling within the 京A, 京LB and 京LC range. Black plates continue to be issued to diplomatic vehicles and dual-use vehicles such as those registered in both Chinese mainland and Hong Kong or Macau.
In the summer of 2002, personalized registration plates were briefly instituted in several Chinese cities, including Beijing. After offensive/ludicrous plates such as USA-911, SEX-001, PRC-001 and IBM-001 were spotted, however, authorities decided people just couldn't be trusted to customize sensibly and the privilege was revoked.
That hasn't stopped the auctioning off of license plates that happen to get all the lucky numbers, though, with the superstitious super-rich doling out millions of RMB to get those 8s, 9s and 6s. Recently, special dispensation was also made for Tao Bihua, founder of the Lao Gan Ma chili sauce empire, when she was awarded a quadruple-8 plate by the central government.
Without further ado, here's how to decode them and figure out where the car is from and even who's behind the wheel:
Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Direct-controlled municipalities
京 Beijing
京C, 京E, 京F, 京H, 京J, 京K, 京L, 京M, 京Q: Urban area
京G: Suburbs
京N, 京P, 京Y: Suburbs and urban area
京A, 京LB, 京LC: Vehicles owned by foreigners or foreign companies
京A88: Diaoyutai State Guesthouse (where visiting foreign dignitaries and provincial government officials are housed)
京B: Taxis
京O: Ministry of Public Security
京V: Central Security Bureau (responsible for security of senior government, party and military officials)
京V-0: General Staff Department organs
京V-1: PLA General Political Department
京V-2: PLA General Logistics Department
京V-3: PLA General Armaments Department
京V-020, 京V-021, 京V-022, 京V-023, 京V-024: Politburo members
京V-025, 京V-026, 京V-027, 京V-028, 京V-029: PLA General Staff Department leaders
京OB: Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB)
京OD: PSB department of transport
京OE: Railway security
京A-*****警: Police vehicles
京A-A*****警: Court vehicles
京A-B*****警: Prosecutor's office
国A: State Council
津: Tianjin
津A, 津B, 津C, 津F, 津G, 津H, 津J, 津K, 津L, 津M, 津N: General issue
津E: Taxis
沪 Shanghai
沪A, 沪B, 沪D, 沪E, 沪F, 沪G, 沪H: Urban area
沪C: Suburbs
沪O: Police vehicles
渝 Chongqing
渝A: Jiangnan District
渝B: Jiangbei District
渝C: Yongchuan District, Jiangjin, Hechuan, Tongnan County, Tongliang County, Bishan County, Dazu County, Qijiang County, Rongchang County
渝F: Wanzhou District, Liangping County, Chekou County, Wushan County, Wuxi County, Zhong County, Kai County, Fengjie County, Yunyang County
渝G: Fuling District, Nanchuan, Dianjiang County, Fengdu County, Wulong County
渝H: Qianjiang District, Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County
冀 Hebei
冀A: Shijiazhuang (冀AZ: Taxis
冀B: Tangshan (冀AT: Taxis)
冀C: Qinhuangdao
冀D: Handan
冀E: Xingtai
冀F: Baoding
冀G: Zhangjiakou
冀H: Chengde
冀J: Cangzhou
冀R: Langfang
冀T: Hengshui
豫 Henan
豫A: Zhengzhou
豫B: Kaifeng
豫C: Luoyang
豫D: Pingdingshan
豫E: Anyang
豫F: Hebi
豫G: Xinxiang
豫H: Jiaozuo
豫J: Puyang
豫K: Xuchang
豫L: Luohe
豫M: Sanmenxia
豫N: Shangqiu
豫P: Zhoukou
豫Q: Zhumadian
豫R: Nanyang
豫S: Xinyang
豫U: Jiyuan
云 Yunnan
云A: Kunming
云B: Dongchuan
云C: Zhaotong
云D: Qujing
云E: Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture
云F: Yuxi
云G: Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture
云H: Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
云J: Pu'er
云L: Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
云K: Xishuangbanna
云M: Baosham
云N: Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture
云P: Lijiang
云Q: Nung
云R: Diqing
云S: Lincang
辽 Liaoning
辽A: Shenyang
辽B: Dalian
辽C: Anshan
辽D: Fushun
辽E: Benxi
辽F: Dandong
辽G: Jinzhou
辽H: Yingkou
辽J: Fuxin
辽K: Liaoyang
辽L: Panjin
辽M: Tieling
辽N: Chaoyang
辽P: Huludao
辽V: Provincial-level agencies
黑 Heilongjiang
黑A: Harbin
黑B: Qiqihar
黑C: Mudanjiang
黑D: Jiamusi
黑E: Daqing
黑F: Yichun
黑G: Jixi
黑H: Hegang
黑J: Shuangyashan
黑K: Qitaishan
黑L: Area of the Sungari River
黑M: Suihua
黑N: Heihe
黑P: Daxing'anling Prefecture
湘 Hunan
湘A: Changsha
湘B: Zhuzhou
湘C: Xiangtan
湘D: Hengyang
湘E: Shaoyang
湘F: Yueyang
湘G: Dayong
湘H: Yiyang
湘J: Changde
湘K: Loudi
湘L: Chenzhou
湘M: Lingling
湘N: Huaihua
湘P: Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
皖 Anhui
皖A: Hefei
皖B: Wuhu
皖C: Bengbu
皖D: Huainan
皖E: Ma'anshan
皖F: Huaibei
皖G: Tongling
皖H: Anqing
皖J: Huangshan
皖K: Fuyang
皖L: Suzhou
皖M: Chuzhou
皖N: Lu'an
皖P: Xuancheng
皖Q: Chaohu
皖R: Chizhou
皖S: Bozhou
鲁 Shandong
鲁A: Jinan
鲁B: Qingdao
鲁C: Zibo
鲁D: Zaozhuang
鲁E: Dongying
鲁F: Yantai
鲁G: Weifang
鲁H: Ji'ning
鲁J: Tai'an
鲁K: Weihai
鲁L: Rizhao
鲁M: Laiwu
鲁N: Dezhou
鲁P: Liaocheng
鲁 Q: Linyi
鲁R: Heze
鲁U: Qingdao Development Zone
鲁V: Weifang extra
鲁W: Jinan extra
新 Xinjiang
新A: Urumqi
新B: Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture
新C: Shihezi
新D: Kuitun
新E: Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
新F: Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture
新G: Qoqek
新H: Altay
新J: Karamay
新K: Turpan
新L: Hami
新M: Bayin'gholin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
新N: Aksu Prefecture
新P: Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture
新Q: Kashgar
新R: Hotan
苏 Jiangsu
苏A: Nanjing
苏B: Wuxi
苏C: Xuzhou
苏D: Changzhou
苏E: Suzhou
苏F: Nantong
苏G: Lianyungang
苏H: Huaiyin
苏J: Yancheng
苏K: Yangzhou
苏L: Zhenjiang
苏M: Taizhou
苏N: Suqian
浙 Zhejiang
浙A: Hangzhou
浙B: Ningbo
浙C: Wenzhou
浙D: Shaoxing
浙E: Huzhou
浙F: Jiaxing
浙G: Jinhua
浙H: Quzhou
浙J: Taizhou
浙K: Lishui
浙L: Zhoushan
赣 Jiangxi
赣A: Nanchang
赣B: Ganzhou
赣C: Yichun
赣D: Ji'an
赣E: Shangrao
赣F: Fuzhou
赣G: Jiujiang
赣H: Jingdezhen
赣J: Pingxiang
赣K: Xinyu
赣L: Yingtan
鄂 Hubei
鄂A: Wuhan
鄂B: Huangshi
鄂C: Shiyan
鄂D: Shashi
鄂E: Yichang
鄂F: Xiangfan
鄂G: Ezhou
鄂H: Jingmen
鄂J: Huanggang
鄂K: Xiaogan
鄂L: Xianning
鄂M: Jingzhou
鄂N: Yunyang
鄂P: Yichang
鄂Q: Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
鄂R: Tianmen
鄂S: Suzhou
桂 Guangxi
桂A: Nanning
桂B: Liuzhou
桂C: Guilin
桂D: Wuzhou
桂E: Beihai
桂F: Nannjing
桂G: Liuzhou
桂H: Guilin
桂J: Hezhou
桂K: Yuzhou
桂L: Baise
桂M: Hechi
桂N: Qinzhou
桂P: Fangchenggang
桂R: Guigang
甘 Gansu
甘A: Lanzhou
甘B: Jiayuguan
甘C: Jinchang
甘D: Baiyin
甘E: Tianshui
甘F: Jiuquan
甘G: Zhangye
甘H: Wuwei
甘J: Dingxi
甘K: Longnan
甘L: Pingliang
甘M: Qingyang
甘N: Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture
甘P: Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
晋 Shanxi
晋A: Taiyuan
晋B: Datong
晋C: Yangquan
晋D: Changzhi
晋E: Jincheng
晋F: Shuozhou
晋H: Qinzhou
晋J: Luliang
晋L: Linfen
晋M: Yuncheng
蒙 Inner Mongolia
蒙A: Hohhot
蒙B: Baotou
蒙C: Wuhai
蒙D: Chifeng
蒙E: Hulunbuir
蒙F: Hinggan League
蒙G: Tongliao
蒙H: Xilin Gol League
蒙J: Ulaan Chab
蒙K: Ordos
蒙L: Bayan Nur
蒙M: Alxa League
陕 Shaanxi
陕A: Xi'an
陕AT, 陕AU: Xi'an taxis
陕AV: Provincial-level agencies
陕B: Tongchuan
陕 C: Baoji
陕D: Xianyang
陕E: Weinan
陕F: Hanzhong
陕G: Ankang
陕H: Shangluo
陕J: Yan'an
陕K: Yulin
陕V: Yangling Gaoxin Agricultural Zone
吉 Jilin
吉A: Changchun
吉B: Jilin
吉C: Siping
吉D: Liaoyuan
吉E: Tonghua
吉F: Baishan
吉G: Baicheng
吉H: Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture
吉J: Songyuan
闽 Fujian
闽A: Fuzhou
闽B: Putian
闽C: Quanzhou
闽D: Xiamen
闽E: Zhangzhou
闽F: Longyan
闽G: Sanming
闽H: Nanping
闽J: Ningde
闽K: Provincial-level agencies
闽O: Police vehicles
贵 Guizhou
贵A: Guiyang
贵B: Liupanshui
贵C: Zunyi
贵D: Tongren Prefecture
贵E: Qianxi
贵F: Bijie Prefecture
贵G: Anshun
贵H: Qiandonnan
贵J: Qiannan
粤 Guangdong
粤A: Guangzhou (粤AQ: Panyu)
粤B: Shenzhen
粤C: Zhuhai
粤D: Shantou
粤E: Foshan (粤EV: Gaoming; 粤ET: Sanshui)
粤F: Shaoguan
粤G: Zhanjiang
粤H: Zhaoqing, Gaoyao (粤HL: Sihui)
粤J: Jiangmen
粤K: Maoming
粤L: Huizhou
粤M: Meizhou
粤N: Shanwei
粤O: Provincial Public Security Department
粤P: Heyuan
粤Q: Yangjiang
粤R: Qingyuan
粤S: Dongguan
粤T: Zhongshan
粤U: Chaozhou
粤V: Jieyang
粤W: Yunfu
粤X: Shunde, Foshan
粤Y: Nanhai, Foshan
粤Z: HK and Macau vehicles registered to enter Chinese mainland, suffixed with 港 (HK) or 澳 (Macau)
青 Qinghai
青A: Xining
青B: Haidong Prefecture
青C: Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
青D: Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
青E: Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
青F: Golog Tibetan autonomous prefecture
青G: Gyegu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
青H: Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
藏 Tibet
藏A: Lhasa
藏B: Qamdo Prefecture
藏C: Shannan Prefecture
藏D: Xigaze Prefecture
藏E: Naqu Prefecture
藏F: Ngari Prefecture
藏G: Nyingchi Prefecture
川 Sichuan
川A: Chengdu
川B: Mianyang
川C: Zigong
川D: Panzihua
川E: Luzhou
川F: Deyang
川H: Guangyuan
川J: Suining
川K: Neijiang
川L: Leshan
川Q: Yibin
川R: Nanchong
川S: Daxian
川T: Ya'an
川U: Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
川V: Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
川W: Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
川Z: Meishan
宁 Ningxia
宁A: Yinchuan
宁B: Shizuishan
宁C: Wuzhong
宁D: Guyuan
宁E: Zhongwei
琼 Hainan
琼A: Haikou
琼B: Sanya
琼C: Qiongbei
琼D: Dongfang
Military and armed police
According to "97-style," military license plates used ordinals based on the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches in red to designate different branches of the PLA.
甲: PLA headquarters
乙: Army grouping
丙: Communications and transport
己: Shenyang Military Region
庚: Beijing Military Region
辛: Lanzhou Military Region
壬: Jinan Military Region
寅: Nanjing Military Region
辰: Chengdu Military Region
戍: Guangzhou Military Region
午: PLA Air Force (PLAAF)
未: PLA Navy (PLAN)
申: General Armaments Department
When a new format was introduced in 2004, however, military plates started to follow a more intuitive and systemic set of prefixes:
军: Central Military Commission, PLA headquarters, PLA units at Army-Grade or above
北: Beijing Military Region
沈: Shenyang Military Region
兰: Lanzhou Military Region
成: Chengdu Military Region
济: Jinan Military Region
南: Nanjing Military Region
广: Guangzhou Military Region
海: PLA Navy
空: PLA Air Force
After these initial characters is a letter assigned to a specific department.
A: Military command center
B: Political Department
C: Logistics Department
D: Armaments Department
G: Provincial military district
H: Depot
K: Local railway, aviation, or shipping representative
P: Hospital
S: Logistics depot
In 2012, however, the system was overhauled again with the characters generally replaces by the first letter in their Pinyin romanizations.
V A0: General Staff Headquarters
V A1: General Political Department
V A2: General Logistics Department
V A3: General Armaments Department
Z: Central Military Committee and units directly subordinate to the four departments
Z A: General Staff Headquarters Grade 2
Z B: General Political Department Grade 2
Z C: General Logistics Department Grade 2
Z D: General Armaments Department Grade 2
Z E: Academy of Military Sciences
Z F: National Defense University
Z G: National University of Defense Technology
Z K: Units directly under the General Logistics Department, including Academy of Military Medical Sciences and PLA General Hospital
Z M: CMC Military Commission Branches
Z O: CMC Military Commission vehicle supervision
Z R: Military academies directly under the four professional service branches in Beijing
Z T: Divisions under the four general departments
H: PLA Navy
H A: Naval Command
H B: PLAN Political Department
H C: PLAN Logistics Department
H D: PLAN Armaments Department
H E: North Sea Fleet
H F: East Sea Fleet
H G: South Sea Fleet
H L0: North Sea Fleet Aviation Department
H L1: East Sea Fleet Aviation Department
H L2: South Sea Fleet Aviation Department
H O: PLAN vehicle supervision
H R: Naval Academy
H R20: Naval Command Academy
H R21: Naval Engineering University
H R22: Submarine Academy
H R23: Dalian Naval Academy
K: PLA Air Force
K A: Air Force Command
K B: PLAAF Political Department
K C: PLAAF Logistics Department
K D: PLAAF Armaments Department
K E: Shenyang Military Region Air Force
K F: Beijing Military Region Air Force
K G: Lanzhou Military Region Air Force
K H: Jinan Military Region Air Force
K J: Guangzhou Military Region Air Force
K K: Chengdu Military Region Air Force
K M: Fifteenth Airborne Division
K O: PLAAF vehicle supervision
K R: Air Force Academy
K R10: Air Force Command Academy
K U: Nanjing Military Region Air Force
K L, K N, K Z: Units directly subordinate to PLAAF
E: Second Artillery Corps
E A: SAC Command
E B: SAC Political Department
E C: SAC Logistics Department
E D: SAC Armaments Department
B: Beijing Military Region Ground Force
B A: Beijing Military Region Command
B B: Beijing Military Region Political Department
B C: Beijing Military Region Joint Logistics Department
B D: Beijing Military Region Armaments Department
B H: General Armaments Department based in military region
B S: Provincial Military Region
B R1: Military Academy directly under the General Staff Department in the Military Region
B R2: Military Academy directly under the General Political Department in the Military Region
B R3: Military Academy directly under the General Logistics Department in the Military Region
B R3: Military Academy directly under the General Armaments Department in the Military Region
B R43: Ordnance Engineering Academy
S: Shenyang Military Region Ground Force
S A: Shenyang Military Region Command
S B: Shenyang Military Region Political Department
S C: Shenyang Military Region Joint Logistics Department
S D: Shenyang Military Region Armaments Department
S H: General Armaments Department based in military region
S S: Provincial Military Region
S R1: Military Academy directly under the General Staff Department in the Military Region
S R2: Military Academy directly under the General Political Department in the Military Region
S R3: Military Academy directly under the General Logistics Department in the Military Region
S R4: Military Academy directly under the General Armaments Department in the Military Region
L: Lanzhou Military Region Ground Force
L A: Lanzhou Military Region Command
L B: Lanzhou Military Region Political Department
L C: Lanzhou Military Region Joint Logistics Department
L D: Lanzhou Military Region Armaments Department
L H: General Armaments Department based in military region
L S: Provincial Military Region
L R1: Military Academy directly under the General Staff Department in the Military Region
L R2: Military Academy directly under the General Political Department in the Military Region
L R3: Military Academy directly under the General Logistics Department in the Military Region
L R4: Military Academy directly under the General Armaments Department in the Military Region
J: Jinan Military Region Ground Force
J A: Jinan Military Region Command
J B: Jinan Military Region Political Department
J C: Jinan Military Region Joint Logistics Department
J D: Jinan Military Region Armaments Department
J H: General Armaments Department based in military region
J S: Provincial Military Region
J R1: Military Academy directly under the General Staff Department in the Military Region
J R2: Military Academy directly under the General Political Department in the Military Region
J R3: Military Academy directly under the General Logistics Department in the Military Region
J R4: Military Academy directly under the General Armaments Department in the Military Region
N: Nanjing Military Region Ground Force
N A: Nanjing Military Region Command
N B: Nanjing Military Region Political Department
N C: Nanjing Military Region Joint Logistics Department
N D: Nanjing Military Region Armaments Department
N H: General Armaments Department based in military region
N S: Provincial Military Region
N V: Second Artillery Corps in Military Region
N R1: Military Academy directly under the General Staff Department in the Military Region
N R2: Military Academy directly under the General Political Department in the Military Region
N R3: Military Academy directly under the General Logistics Department in the Military Region
N R4: Military Academy directly under the General Armaments Department in the Military Region
G: Guangzhou Military Region Ground Force
G A: Guangzhou Military Region Command
G B: Guangzhou Military Region Political Department
G C: Guangzhou Military Region Joint Logistics Department
G D: Guangzhou Military Region Armaments Department
G H: General Armaments Department based in military region
G S: Provincial Military Region
G R1: Military Academy directly under the General Staff Department in the Military Region
G R2: Military Academy directly under the General Political Department in the Military Region
G R3: Military Academy directly under the General Logistics Department in the Military Region
G R4: Military Academy directly under the General Armaments Department in the Military Region
C: Chengdu Military Region Ground Force
C A: Chengdu Military Region Command
C B: Chengdu Military Region Political Department
C C: Chengdu Military Region Joint Logistics Department
C D: Chengdu Military Region Armaments Department
C H: General Armaments Department based in military region
C S: Provincial Military Region
C R1: Military Academy directly under the General Staff Department in the Military Region
C R2: Military Academy directly under the General Political Department in the Military Region
C R3: Military Academy directly under the General Logistics Department in the Military Region
C R4: Military Academy directly under the General Armaments Department in the Military Region
ZG: PLA vehicles in Hong Kong (驻港)
ZA: PLA vehicles in Macau (驻澳)
Since vehicles with military plates are not subject to the Road Traffic Safety Law of the PRC, they can run reds, drive the wrong way down roads, weave in and out of traffic and park wherever they want.
This has created a booming black market in fake military plates used generally by young and reckless drivers. Although a quick run through the system would quickly turn these up as fake, police are extremely reluctant to pull over or penalize any vehicles with such plates.
People's Armed Police (PAP) license plates begin with WJ in red, denoting the Pinyin for 武警 Wujing, the abbreviated name for the PAP in Chinese. Thereafter, two numerals also in red indicate province of origin:
01: PAP headquarters
02: Hebei
03: Inner Mongolia
04: Shanxi
05: Liaoning
06: Jilin
07: Heilongjiang
08: Shanghai
09: Jiangsu
10: Zhejiang
11: Anhui
12: Jiangxi
13: Fujian
14: Shandong
15: Guangdong
16: Guangxi
17: Hubei
18: Hunan
19: Henan
20: Sichuan
21: Yunnan
22: Guizhou
23: Shaanxi
24: Gansu
25: Qinghai
26: Xinjiang
27: Ningxia
28: Tianjin
29: Tibet
30: Hainan
31: Beijing
32: Chongqing
After the area prefix, a letter (formerly character) in red then denotes PAP subdivision:
X (消) Fire Police
B (边): Border Police
T (通): Traffic Police
S (森): Forest Police
G (金): Gold Mine Police
D (电): Hydropower Facilities Police
Diplomatic vehicles
Cars belonging to embassies and consulates have black backgrounds with the red character 史 (for embassies) or 领 (for consulates) in red. Thereafter, a series of three numbers reflects the country represented:
101: Afghanistan
102: Albania
103: Algeria
104: Angola
105: Argentina
106: Australia
107: Austria
108: Azerbaijan
109: Bahrain
110: Bangladesh
111: Belarus
112: Belgium
113: Benin
114: Bolivia
115: Botswana
116: Brazil
117: Brunei
118: Bulgaria
119: Burkina Faso
120: Burundi
121: Cambodia
122: Cameroon
123: Canada
124: Chad
125: Chile
126: Colombia
127: Republic of the Congo
128: Ivory Coast
129: Croatia
130: Cuba
131: Cyprus
132: Czech Republic
133: North Korea
134: Denmark
135: East Timor
136: Ecuador
137: Egypt
138: Equatorial Guinea
139: Eritrea
140: Ethiopia
141: Fiji
142: Finland
143: France
144: Gabon
145: Germany
146: Ghana
147: Greece
148: Guinea
149: Guyana
150: Hungary
151: Iceland
152: India
153: Indonesia
154: Iran
155: Iraq
156: Ireland
157: Israel
158: Italy
160: Jordan
161: Kazakhstan
162: Kenya
163: Kiribati
164: Kuwait
165: Kyrgyzstan
166: Laos
167: Lebanon
168: Libya
169: Luxembourg
170: Madagascar
171: Malaysia
172: Mali
173: Malta
174: Marshall Islands
175: Mauritania
176: Mexico
177: Micronesia
178: Mongolia
179: Morocco
180: Mozambique
181: Myanmar
182: Nepal
183: Netherlands
184: New Zealand
185: Nigeria
186: Norway
187: Oman
188: Pakistan
189: Palestine
190: Papua New Guinea
191: Peru
192: Philippines
193: Poland
194: Portugal
195: Qatar
196: South Korea
197: Romania
198: Russia
199: Rwanda
200: Saudi Arabia
201: Senegal
202: Seychelles
203: Sierra Leone
204: Singapore
205: Slovakia
206: Slovenia
207: Somalia
208: South Africa
209: Spain
210: Sri Lanka
211: Sudan
212: Sweden
213: Switzerland
214: Syria
215: Tanzania
216: Thailand
217: Toga
218: Tunisia
219: Turkey
220: Uganda
221: Ukraine
222: United Arab Emirates
223: United Kingdom
224: United States
225: Uruguay
226: Vanuatu
227: Venezuela
228: Vietnam
229: Yemen
230: Serbia
231: Democratic Republic of the Congo
232: Zambia
233: Zimbabwe
234: Macedonia
235: Zimbabwe
236: Lesotho
237: Uzbekistan
238: Turkmenistan
239: Georgia
240: Namibia
241: Lithuania
242: Moldova
243: Mauritius
244: Panama
245: Niger
246: Tajikistan
247: Antigua and Barbados
248: Armenia
249: Suriname
251: Estonia
252: Haiti
253: Latvia
254: Bosnia and Herzegovina
255: Guinea-Bissau
256: Cape Verde
257: Djibouti
258: Central African Republic
260: Dominica
261: Liberia
262: Jamaica
263: Grenada
264: Maldives
265: Costa Rica
266: Malawi
267: Bahamas
268: Comoros
269: Montenegro
270: Tonga
271: South Sudan
272: Barbados
159: Shanghai Cooperation Organization
259: Pacific Islands Forum
300: European Union
301: Arab League
302: Un Development Program
303: UN Food and Agriculture Organization
304: UN Population Fund
305: UN World Food Program
306: UN Children's Fund
307: UN World Health Organization
308: UNESCO
309: UN International Labor Organization
310: World Bank
311: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
313: IMF
314: International Finance Corporation
316: UN Industrial Development Organization
317: Asia Development Bank
318: Red Cross
319: UN Asian and Pacific Center for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery
321: UN Environment Program
Following these three numbers follow another three, the first of which is generally bestowed upon the ambassador himself. The plate reading 使 158-001 would therefore belong to the Italian ambassador (who of course drives a Fiat):
There you go. Happy license plate hunting!
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