Stamp Issue
In 2003, 27 sets of commemorative stamps and special stamps, totaling 87 designs including 4 designs of souvenir sheets were issued. The State Post Bureau also issued 2 miniature sheets and 2 stamp booklets with a total value of RMB 148.90 yuan as well as 3 designs of personalized stamps..3 sets altogether 3 stamped commemorative envelops, 12 sets altogether 49 stamped commemorative, special and scenery postcards, 36 regular stamped envelops, 12 regular stamped postcards and 9 stamped lottery New Year postcards including 4 regular cards, 4 greeting cards and 1 letter card, were issued.
Stamps Issued for Major Events
At the crucial moment when the whole nation was fighting against SARS, the State Post Bureau issued the stamp titled Fighting Against SARS with One Heart on May 19, 2003. It took only 20 days to finish the design, printing and issuance task. All the income generated (including RMB 5 million of cash and stamp items worth RMB 5 million yuan) were donated to the Ministry of Health
To commemorate China’s first manned space mission, the State Post Bureau cooperated with Hong Kong Post and Macao Post in issuing a set of two stamps titled “The Successful Flight of China’s First Manned Spaceship” and a booklet composing the stamps of the three Posts on October 16, 2003 when Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei in the Shenzhou V spaceship returned to earth. It is the third time for the State Post Bureau to issue stamps jointly with Hong Kong Post and Macao Post.
Joint Issue of Stamps between China Post and Overseas Posts
On April 15, 2003, China and Iran jointly issued the special stamp titled “Bell Tower and Mosque”. On September 30, 2003, it cooperated with Hungary in releasing the special stamp titled “The Art of Books”. The joint issue of stamps helped enhance the mutual understanding and friendship and promote the exchange and cooperation of both posts.
Major Philatelic Activities
To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Chinese Dragon Stamps, the 16th Asia International Stamp Exhibition China 2003, co-hosted by the State Bureau, Sichuan Provincial People’s Government and All-China Philatelic Federation, sponsored by FIAP, was held in Mianyang, Sichuan Province during November 20-24, 2003. The Exhibition for the first time displayed all the 14 philatelic classes advocated by FIP and allowed the use of Chinese notes to the youth exhibits. Philatelic items, altogether 1,500 frames from 24 countries and regions participated in the Exhibition.
