The Postmaster General, Mr. P.C. LUK, announced today (12 September 2002) the issuing programme of nine special stamp issues and other associated stamp products in 2003. The programme reflects Hongkong Post's commitment to be an engine for introducing innovative stamps in the philatelic world.
In an endeavor to enhance productivity, starting from 1 January 2003, Hongkong Post will put on trial for a period of six months to issue new stamps on weekdays. For new stamps that tie in with special events and for issues with a wide range of products, the issuing day will remain on Sundays. Depending on the outcome of the trial, the issue dates for the second half of 2003 will be further confirmed and made known to members of the public in due course.
The 2003 special stamp issues will cover a series of new and innovative designs featuring various interesting aspects of Hong Kong as well as Mainland China. They include the soon-to-be-opened Hong Kong Disneyland, Year of the Ram, traditional trade and crafts, miniature landscapes, pet fishes, the popular Chinese percussion instruments and the Hong Kong, China and Sweden joint issue on waterbirds. For the first time ever, the attractive world heritages in Mainland China will be depicted on Hong Kong stamps. Also available will be the first set of Tete-beche and pentagonal stamps in Hong Kong, featuring major changes of public housing development in Hong Kong.
Other stamp products to be introduced include the first set of special stamps printed on flock paper featuring Lunar New Year animals; two stamp sheetlets on Mainland scenery and Lunar New Year animals; a prestige stamp booklet on Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and two stamp sheetlets specially designed for Hong Kong 2004 Stamp Expo.
Individual special stamps and stamp products will be available in different format and prices. An array of stamp products may range from a set of four stamps at $11.80, a presentation pack (a set of four stamps) at $20 each to a stamp pane (4 set block of four) at $160 each. Details of each stamp issue will be announced closer to the date of issue. A stamp issuing programme for 2003 is tabulated in the attached fact sheet. The release dates are tentative and subject to change.
Fact Sheet- Stamp Issuing Programme for 2003
| Date of Issue | Theme of the Stamp Issues for 2003 |
|---|---|
| Special Stamp Issues | |
| 12.1.2003 (Sun) |
Hong Kong Disneyland |
| 19.1.2003 (Sun) |
Year of the Ram |
| 13.3.2003 (Thur) |
Traditional Trades and Handicrafts |
| 12.6.2003 (Thur) |
Chinese Percussion Instruments |
| Jul 2003 | Miniature Landscapes |
| Aug 2003 | Pet Fishes |
| Oct 2003 | Hong Kong, China - Sweden Joint Issue on Waterbirds |
| Nov 2003 | World Heritage in China |
| Late Dec 2003 | Development of Public Housing in Hong Kong |
| Other Stamp Products | |
| a) Flock Stamp | |
| 19.1.2003 (Sun) |
Flock Stamp on Lunar New Year Animals - Dragon/Snake/Horse/Ram |
| b) Stamp Sheetlets | |
| 19.1.2003 (Sun) |
Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Horse/Ram |
| Sep 2003 | Definitive Stamp Sheetlet on Mainland Scenery (No. 2) |
| c) Prestige Stamp Booklet | |
| 10.5.2003 (Sat) |
Prestige Stamp Booklet on Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park |
| d) HONG KONG 2004 Stamp Expo | |
| 8.4.2003 (Tue) |
HONG KONG 2004 Stamp Expo Stamp Sheetlet Series No.1 |
| Oct 2003 | HONG KONG 2004 Stamp ExpoStamp Sheetlet Series No.2 |

The enclosed photograph shows a set of four special stamps to be issued on 12 January 2003 on the theme of "Hong Kong Disneyland".

The enclosed photograph shows the souvenir sheet to be issued on 13 March 2003 on the theme of "Traditional Trades and Handicrafts".

The enclosed photograph shows a set of six special stamps to be issued on November 2003 on the theme of "World Heritage in China".