News
19 May 2003
Commemorative Stamp Issue - World Heritage in China
The Postmaster General, Mr. Allan CHIANG, announced today (19 May 2003) that a set of special stamps on World Heritage in China depicting six World Heritage sites of exceptional scenic beauty and immense historical and cultural value will be issued on Thursday, 12 June 2003.
Every country's cultural and natural heritage - from historical monuments to sites of geological or archaeological significance - tells a unique and enduring story of its past. As at 2002, the Mainland China has 28 sites on the World Heritage List. The six World Heritage sites featured in this set of stamps are Potala Palace ($1.40), Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ($1.80), Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor ($2.40), Mount Huangshan ($2.50), Old Town of Lijiang ($3.00) and Jiuzhaigou Valley ($5.00). The stamps are designed by Mr.Bon KWAN and printed in lithography by Cartor Security Printing, France.
Information about associated philatelic products released with this issue and the sales restriction is as follows:
| Products | Descriptions | Unit Selling Price | Sales Restriction (per customer queuing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Stamps | 6 denominations per set | $1.40, $1.80, $2.40, $2.50, $3.00, $5.00 | 10 sheets of stamps of each denomination (viz. 250 sets of stamps) |
| Mini-pane | Each containing three sets of stamps | $48.30 | 5 sheets |
| Presentation Pack | Each containing the six stamps | $25.00 | 5 packs |
| Postage Prepaid Picture Card (Air Mail) | Six cards per set, each card depicting a World Heritage site | $30.00 | 5 sets |
| Serviced First Day Cover | Affixed with a full set of stamps and cancelled with the special postmark (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 12 June 2003) | $20.60 | 5 covers |
The stamps will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office from 22 May 2003. Official First Day Covers at $2 each will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at all post offices from 22 to 28 May 2003.
Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on 12 June 2003 for official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced.
The GPO-1 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back service at all philatelic offices on that day.
All post offices will open on 12 June 2003 as on normal weekdays. In addition, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will also open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark as well as the special postmark.
The enclosed photograph shows the Special Stamps to be issued on 12 June 2003 on the theme "World Heritage in China".
The enclosed photograph shows the specimen impression of the special postmark to be issued on 12 June 2003 on the theme "World Heritage in China".