A GALA OF GLOBAL COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE

The Universal Post Union reinstated China's legitimate place in 1972 and China sent delegates to attend the 17th to 21st congresses of the UPU held in 1974, 1979, 1984, 1988 and 1994. As a member of the policy-making and executive committees, China has always been earnest in following the strategic decision of the UPU by combining them with the realities at home. China has always been an active member in all the annual sessions of the UPU, and on many occasions has undertaken various UPU programs in China. Though exchanges and mutual visits on postal themes with other countries, the Postal Service of China has maintained harmonious relationships with the international Bureau of the UPU and with its counterparts in other member countries.

Upon application by the Chinese Government in 1994, the 21st Congress of the UPU approved that its 22nd Congress would be held from 23 August to 15 September, 1999, in Beijing, China. As a rule, China would also be the sponsor of the '99 World Philatelic Exhibition. The congress is the supreme institution of the UPU, which is composed of government representatives of all member countries. About 2000 representatives from 189 member countries and more than 20 international organizations are expected to attend the 22nd Congress in Beijing.

As this is a multilateral event of diplomatic significance, China has attached great importance to its success. The China Organizing committee consists of top officials from the Beijing municipality government as well as from more than 20 ministries, commissions and other departments of the Central Government, with President Jiang Zemin as its Honorary Chairman and Vice Premier Wu Bangguo as its Chairman. Jiang also wrote a inscription for the coming congress, which reads: "Develop modern postal service to meet social needs."

The Secretariat of the 22nd UPU Congress, under the leadership of the China Organizing Committee, the Ministry of Information Industry and the State Postal Bureau, is responsible for and has done a great deal in the preparation work. Vice Premier Wu stressed at the second session of the Organizing Committee that all people involved in the preparations should give every priority to the careful planning and meticulous organizing so as to ensure the Congress of punctual commencement and eventual success.

This coming grand meeting will hopeful further promote the cooperation among UPU member countries for a joint stride into the new millennium.

• On Aug.27,1998,WuBangguo,vice-premier,Shixiushi,vice-secretary general of the State Council, Wu Jichuan,Liu Liqing and Liu Pingyuan were talking about the prospects of the Chinese postal service before the second meeting of the China Organizing committee for the 22nd UPU Congress
• Wu Bangguo, vice-premier of the State Council and chairman of the China Organizing Committee for the 22^nd UPU Congress, meets Mr. Leavey, director general of the international bureau of the universal postal union
• The Agreement on organizing work for the 22nd Congress of UPU between The People's Republic of China and the Universal Postal Union was signed by Wu Jichuan and Mr. Leavey in Berne, Switzerland
• Liu Liqing ,Postal  General, met with Mr. Mazou, vice director general of the International bureau of the UPU on Sept.21,1998
• Liu Liqing and Mr. Mazou, vice director general of the International bureau of the UPU signed "Detailed Regulations on the Agreement for the Organizing work of the 22nd Congress of UPU" on Sept.21,1998
• Liu Pingyuan, secretary general, Mr. Leavey and the Chinese Ambassador to the UN in Geneva were having a cordial chat
• Mr. Wand Zhanning, Designated Chairman of the 22nd Universal Postal Congress, and Mr. Young-su KWON, Chairman of the 21st Universal Postal Congress, were having a cordial chat,Oct.1998
• Mr. Leavey, general director of the International bureau of the Universal Postal Union is visiting the letter-sorting site of Beijing Post center
• In May 1998,Zhao Lianrong, director of the Secretariat Bureau for the 22nd UPU, Liu Huangand Tian Yuhai, vice directors and Mr. Darrigrand (French), former senior UPU official, exchanged views on the preparation work of the 22nd Congress
• Philatelists of foreign countries gave congratulations to Chinese delegation of philately who won a price at 12th Asian international stamp exhibition
• The Chinese international Judge Mr. Liu Guangshi took part in the Canada96 world philately exhibition
• A delegation from Thailand paid a visit to Xian Postal service bureau
• The U.S. Postal delegation looked around the Shanghai light mail processing center
• One postal network links all countries in the world by Hou Lin (Age 12)
• Post(by Shao Kang)