News
06 June 2005
Hongkong Post Commemorates Nautical Technology in China during the Ming Dynasty with Special Stamp Issue
The Postmaster General, Mr. Allan CHIANG, today announced that a set of special stamps will be issued on 28 June 2005 to mark the 600th Anniversary of Zheng He's Maritime Expeditions in the 15th century. Zheng He, an important historical figure, commanded seven expeditions to the "Western Oceans" on royal orders between AD 1405 and 1433. Steered by stars and directed by the compass, his fleet used nautical astronomy and geonavigation to visit over 30 countries and regions in Asia and Africa, successfully extending Chinese influence in culture and technology as well as fostering trade and goodwill.
Zheng He's impressive flotilla comprised over 200 ships and a crew of more than 20,000. The hundred-metre long flagships, known as "treasure ships", sailed in convoy with a fleet of battleships, combat billets, supply ships, water tankers and horse ships. The size of the fleets sent, the equipment used and the distance travelled all demonstrated that nautical technology in China during the Ming Dynasty was well ahead of other maritime powers.
Hongkong Post, China Post and Macao Post will each issue a set of three commemorative stamps and a stamp sheetlet on 28 June 2005. This is the fifth stamp issue jointly issued by these three postal administrations. The three HK$1.40 stamps issued by Hongkong Post depict a Likeness of Zheng He; Exploration, Trade and Diplomacy; and Seamanship and the Science of Navigation. The HK$10 stamp sheetlet features Zheng He's mighty fleet.
"These stamps commemorate the very first of Zheng He's seven voyages,' says Mr. CHIANG. "They are meant to remind us of the determination and enterprising spirit of Zheng He, whose formidable explorations were unparalleled in the world's maritime history."
The mini-pane and stamp sheetlet are designed by Mr. Carl CHENG and printed in lithography by Beijing Stamp Printing Factory.
The stamps will be displayed in the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Shatin Central post offices from 7 June 2005. Official First Day Covers at $1 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 39 philatelic offices from 7 to 13 June 2005.
A hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices on 28 June 2005 for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will be introduced. The GPO-1 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmark will also be available for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.
Also on 28 June 2005, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmark.
Further information about this issue and the sale of associated philatelic products can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.com, at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
First Day Cover Text
Fact Sheet
The enclosed photograph shows "The 600th Anniversary of Zheng He's Maritime Expeditions" Special Postmark to be issued on 28 June 2005.
The enclosed photograph shows "The 600th Anniversary of Zheng He's Maritime Expeditions" Special Stamp to be issued on 28 June 2005.