In 2002, State Post Bureau continued carrying out the policy of issuing commemorative stamps and special stamps---"Macro Control and Moderate Quantity". The total issues of commemorative stamps and special stamps in 2002 decreased by 30% compared with 2001 and 60% compared with 1998. The total income of philatelic business reached RMB 7.08 billion yuan in 2002.

II. Exquisite Stamps Issued in 2002

In 2002, 27 sets of commemorative stamps and special stamps were issued, totaling 95 designs including 4 designs of souvenir sheets and total selling price is RMB135.6 yuan. In 2002, 11 designs of regular stamps, 39 stamped envelopes, 98 stamped postcards, 1 stamped letter card were issued. And 2 designs of special-use serial stamps for individualized services were issued.

For the purpose of replacing gradually the previously issued regular stamps, from Feb. 1, 2002, State Post Bureau issued in succession two new sets of regular stamps---R30 and R31. Each set contains 2 groups, totaling 11 stamps. R30 Protecting the Human Common Homeland was issued to publicize the important national policies of the family plan, the protection of environment and the cherishing of the resources. R31 China Birds was issued to show the rare birds in China and to publicize the protection of wild animals. The new regular stamps are very beautiful in design and printing and many anti-forgery measures were taken on the stamps.

State Post Bureau issued the special-use stamps for individualized services Ruyi and Flower on May 10, 2002 and November 8, 2002 respectively. The stamps are popular in society for users can fill in their individualized content on the blank tab of the stamps, which promotes the development of philately. The stamp Flower was issued on the occasion of the opening of the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The stamp was printed with the flavoring printing ink, exhaling the sweet smell of Lily.

III. Important Events

In commemoration of the China National Football Team's participating in the finals of 2002 FIFA World Cup, State Post Bureau, Hong Kong Post and Macao Post issued the stamp 2002 FIFA World Cup respectively on May 16, 2002, and printed jointly a miniature sheet containing the stamps issued by the three Posts. On the same day, State Post Bureau, Hong Kong Post and Macao Post jointly held the grand First-Day Issue Ceremony in Shenyang.

From September 26 to 29, 2002 China National Philatelic Corporation and China Gold Coin Incorporation jointly the 4th International Stamp and Coin Exposition in Beijing. Over 220 Post authorities and related enterprises from over 50 countries and regions participated in the Exposition. Visitors to the Exposition reached 100 thousand.

In 2002, State Post Bureau issued the special stamps Rare Flowers, A Pavilion and a Castle and Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do jointly with Malaysia, Republic of Korea and Slovakia respectively.