The Zhou Yuan License and Certificate Collection Museum, part of Nantong Overseas Chinese Library, is opened to the public on Nov 18. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The Zhou Yuan License and Certificate Collection Museum, a part of the Nantong Overseas Chinese Library, in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province was opened to the public on Nov 18.

The museum exhibits more than 400 Chinese and foreign licenses and certificates from the past century.

Zhou Yuan, 54, is the standing vice-chairman of the Jiangsu Overseas Chinese Association in Canada and the vice-chairman of the Nantong International Exchange Association.

Zhou has frequently traveled between China and Canada over the past 20 years. It was during these travels that he discovered that the passport of each country has its own characteristics that would make for an interesting showcase.

"When I was a child, I loved collecting cigarette packages and candy papers," said Zhou. "My collections have gradually expanded to passports, identification cards, employee's cards, and various other certificates and licenses."

Zhou added that he currently has more than 3,000 certificates and licenses from over 40 countries and regions in five continents.

"The exhibits on display at the collection museum are just part of my collection and I will occasionally update these exhibits," Zhou noted.

Zhou Yuan and his collections. [Photo/ntfabu.com]