STAMPS AND STAMP COLLECTING

As postage vouchers issued by the state, stamps constitute a unique "envoy" or "conveyer" with special cultural connotations. The extensive themes, colorful subject matters and the refined design have all furnished stamps with high values of historical, literary, artistic and cultural implications. For these reasons, stamps have long become one of the most favored objects for philatelists ,who seldom cease in their searching, researching ,collecting, and enjoying. At present there are more than 15 million philatelists and enthusiasts in China, contributing RMB 7,790 million yuan in 1998 to the State coffer in this niche sector alone.

The rapid growth in the philately business owes to many factors. To begin with, the design and production of stamps have been crucial. Designers have found plenty of subjects in China's long history, rich cultures of nationalities ,magnificent landscapes, significant historic events, dignitaries and their achievements. By delving deeply into these motifs, the designers and manufactures have ensured the worthy savor and high quality of the stamps.

Second, the distributors of the postal service have established extensive sales outlets for philatelic products while cementing their traditional markets in the urban quarters. Meanwhile, they have ensured sufficient supplies to philatelists and fans by introducing advanced booking to approved subscribers.

Third, the stamp operators and distributors have sponsored and organized philately associations of different ranks or levels and in all likely institutions. Through these they have been able to launch massive activities ,to stage exhibitions of various descriptions, to promote information and knowledge about philately among the residents.

Finally, the philately distribution departments and businesses have sharpened their awareness of the quality and uniqueness in their products by pushing theme articles, stamp gift packages, and select philatelic collections with unique features. In recent years, the philatelic operators have distributed serials of articles for a number of important social and events, with strong social impact and considerable economic returns. There were the 60th anniversary of the Long March, the 50th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the 100th anniversary of the contemporary postal service of China, the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and the circuit exhibition of selected stamps in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the people's republic of China, to name only a few.

To greet the 22nd Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to be held in Beijing in 1999, China issued some different articles: 1) a stamp feathering the logo of the UPU; 2) a stamp commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the same organization; 3) a sheetlet of the Yellow Mountain; 4) a sheetlet "the Undresea World"; 5) a stamp of the inscriptions by president Jiang Zemin; 6) a souvenir sheet of the China '99 World Philatelic Exhibition, and 7) three sets of pre-stamped postcards.

These articles have all helped to enrich the philatelic market. The Yellow Mountain sheetlet was awarded the best stamp of 1997 for its particular subject and motif ,its original design, and its beautiful workmanship.