Philatelic Service
In 1999, the
philatelic service in China developed steadily and achieved Y 8.48 bn in terms of revenue.
20 sets of commemorative and special stamps (11 1 pieces) were issued in the year. On 23rd
August 1999, we issued a set of stamps to commemorate the convention of the 22nd UPU
Congress in Beijing, and a miniature sheet featured the inscription by President Jiang
Zemin, which reads "Develop modern postal service to meet social needs". Oil lst
October, a set of stamps, with 56 pieces stamps cocaining in one sheet and titled
"50th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China-Great Union of
nationalities" were issued,illustrating national union and prosperity by picturing
the joyful gathering of the 56 nationalities in China. On 20th December, a set of stamps
were issued to celebrate Macao's return to the motherland with the gold-foiled miniature
sheet printed domestically which filled a historic blank of China in stamp printing by hot
stamping and embossing. On 31st December, commemorative stamps titled "At the turn of
centuryReview of the 20th Century" were issued and marketed, a new kind of
commemorative stamps high in collection value. In order to stimulate the interest of
children in philately, China Post launched a kid's design competition named "Looking
into New-century Stamps". This provided an opportunity for children between six to
twelve years of age to draw whatever they like about the 21st century. The awarded work
will be used as the artwork of a stamp to be issued in 2000. Children throughout the
country took active part in this activity, and were encouraged to depict the colorful
future with rich imagination. This activity laid a sound foundation for the development of
philately in the 21st centllry.
In 1999, to satisfy the needs of economic
growth, tourism development and philatelists, China Post actively developed various kinds
of philatelic products on the occasion of many important events such as the 50th
anniversary of the founding of China, Macao's return to the motherland and the coming of
the new milleninm, and conducted mobile philatelic exhibitions to satisfy social needs,
which all well received by the society and philatelists.
In 1999, we jointly issued special stamps
namely "Red deer" and "Lushan and Kum Kang San" respectively with
Russia and D.P.R. Korea.