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12 September 2002
Stamp Issuing Programme for 2003

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
As one of the major attractions of Hong Kong to be opened in 2005/2006, each stamp depicts one of the major theme lands of the Disneyland, with Mickey on its left-hand side.

19.1.2003
(Sun)

Year of the Ram
This is the fourth set of stamps of the third Lunar New Year animals' series. The art of Chinese paper -cutting is used to emphasize the multifarious of the ram.

13.3.2003
(Thur)

Traditional Trades and Handicrafts
Designed with a nostalgic approach, this set of stamps will reflect some traditional professions of the "old" Hong Kong such as Letter Writing, Bird Cage Making, Dough Figurine Making and Olive Selling.

12.6.2003
(Thur)

Chinese Percussion Instruments
This is the second set of special stamps to depict Chinese musical instruments. The first set was issued in 1993. The new set features the popular Chinese percussion instruments, which has become more popular in Hong Kong in recent years.

Jul 2003

Miniature Landscapes
Bonsai ("tree in a pot") is an ancient oriental horticultural art form established more than 2,000 years ago. This set of special stamps is to reflect the art through different types of Bonsai.

Aug 2003

Pet Fishes
This set of stamps depicts the popular and colourful pet fishes in local families. A special fish shape die cut on each stamp will be made during the printing process.

Oct 2003

Hong Kong, China - Sweden Joint Issue on Waterbirds
This is the fourth set of stamps that Hongkong Post has issued jointly with an overseas administration. It includes two stamps depicting the colourful and attractive waterbirds in Hong Kong and another two featuring those in Sweden.

Nov 2003

World Heritage in China
For the first time ever, a number of attractive world heritages in Mainland China, such as Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple Monastery and the Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, are to be depicted on Hong Kong stamps.

Late Dec 2003

Development of Public Housing in Hong Kong
This set is to reflect the major changes of housing development in Hong Kong. This is also the first set of Tete-beche stamps and pentagonal stamps in Hong Kong.

Other Stamp Products
a) Flock Stamp
19.1.2003
(Sun)

Flock Stamp on Lunar New Year Animals - Dragon/Snake/Horse/Ram
This is the first set of special stamps in philatelic world printed on flock paper instead of normal stamp paper. It will depict popular Lunar New Year animals.

b) Stamp Sheetlets
19.1.2003
(Sun)

Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Horse/Ram
A prestige 22-karat gold, 24-karat gold and 99.9% silver Miniature Sheet will be issued to celebrate the outgoing of the Year of the Horse and the upcoming of the Year of the Ram.

Sep 2003

Definitive Stamp Sheetlet on Mainland Scenery (No. 2)
This is the second issue of the special series of definitive stamp sheetlets demonstrating some of the most spectacular sceneries in China.

c) Prestige Stamp Booklet
10.5.2003
(Sat)

Prestige Stamp Booklet on Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park
This prestige stamp booklet, with 2 stamp sheets designed to depict coral stamps, is issued to commemorate the opening of the Marine Life Centre at 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
This sheetlet, on the theme of "Tourism in Hong Kong", is issued as a prelude to the HONG KONG 2004 Stamp Expo to be held from 30.1-3.2.2004.

Oct 2003

HONG KONG 2004 Stamp ExpoStamp Sheetlet Series No.2
This sheetlet is issued as a run-up to the HONG KONG 2004 Stamp Expo, which has the patronage of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (F.I.A.P.) as the Asian International Stamp Exhibition.

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

Last revision date : 12 September 2002