Stamp Issue and Philatelic Business

In 2001, the State Post Bureau kept on the implementation of macro-regulation policy in special and commemorative stamp issue, which was crowned with great success in social effect and economic returns. The total income of the year from philatelic business is 8.807 billion yuan, among which 2.207 billion yuan is from stamps, 6.434 billion yuan from philatelic products and 166 million yuan from others. 30 sets (102 designs) of special and commemorative stamps were issued during 2001, including 5 souvenir sheets, 2 miniature sheets, with a total selling price of 169.2 yuan.

The year 2001 witnessed a series of successful release of stamps and postal stationery by the State Post Bureau, including The 80th Anniversary of the Establishment if China Communist Party, Beijing's Successful Bid for Hosting 2008 Olympic Games, APEC China 2001 and China's WTO Entry commemorative stamps and China Team is Qualified for 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan commemorative pre-stamped postcards. Mr. Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Central committee of the Communist Party of China, inscribed for the commemorative cover of The 80th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Communist Party of China and a solemn first-day issue ceremony of this set was held at the State Post Bureau. Beijing's bid for 2008 Olympic Games attracted enormous attention of the world. On the night of success, a grand first-day issue ceremony of the mainland-Hong Kong-Macao joint issue printed on the same sheet for the event was held also at the State Post Bureau. On October 7, China Football Team won the qualifications of 2002 World Cup. After the game, a set of China Team is Qualified for 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan commemorative pre-stamped postcard and relevant philatelic products were announced to be issued at the press conference in the stadium by the State Post Bureau.

In 2001, we laid much emphasis to the national characteristics of the style and the diversification of art form in stamp designing. In the printing process, except tightening the quality control, we attached much attention to the technical innovation. For example, the emboss technology was first used in printing The Six Steeds at the Zhaoling Mausoleum sheetlet. Besides, we further studied the anti-counterfeit technology and popularized it among printing houses. The State Post Bureau changed the method of publishing the issue quantity of special and commemorative stamps. We announced the quantity in advance to make it more transparent. The sheet composition of 2001's issue is highly diversified. Some sheetlets, such as The Year of Snake, Dragon Boat Festival, The 80th Anniversary of the Establishment of Communist Party of China, two booklets, namely Ancient Towns in the Region of Rivers and Lakes and A Tale of Xu Xian and the White Snake, and jointly printed sheet of Beijing's Successful Bid for Hosting 2008 Olympic Games by mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, were released. Designers made great efforts in designing the gutter and margin to make the sheet composition novel and varied. The State Post Bureau revised the Principle of selecting the topic of commemorative stamps, which was already officially approved by the Party Central Committee. On the Basis of this Principle, we formulated "The Regulation on Selecting the Topic of Stamps". In the future, local post administrations may recommend topics and the State Post Bureau will make decision according to this Regulation.

The State Post Bureau issued 62 sets of pre-stamped covers and postcards in 2001, including 18 sets of regular pre-stamped covers, 3 sets of commemorative pre-stamped covers, 23 sets of regular pre-stamped postcards, 8 sets of commemorative pre-stamped postcards, 4 sets of special pre-stamped postcards, 2 sets of scenic pre-stamped postcards, 1 set of "greeting me new year" pre-stamped postcards and 3 sets of pre-stamped letter cards. Besides, personalized stamp service was introduced. China National Philatelic Corporation, as a pilot company, printed 525 thousand sheets (12 kinds) of personalized stamps on The 21st Universiade and The 9th National Games of China issues . In September of 2001, the State Post Bureau held national philatelic exhibition in Nanjing, which turned to be a complete success. China National Philatelic Corporation organized "Philately Enters Campus" activity in Beijing University, which attracted great attention among students. Mr. Milutinovic, the head coach of China men's football team, attended the opening ceremony. Exhibitions, lectures, personalized Stamp service and other philatelic activities displayed the magnificent achievement of China, stimulated people's patriotic enthusiasm, publicized philately and philatelic knowledge and encouraged potential collectors.