China Post Issues – 2023
Isues 20 — 27
2023-20 Medicinal Herbs (Series 3) issued 2023 October 11. There are six designs in this issue, the first two have a face value of 0.80 yuan, the remainder are at 1.20 yuan. There were also two sheets, the first had designs 1, 2 and 3, and the second had 4, 5 and 6. The stamps were designed by Yu Tianyi and measure 30 x 40 mm, perforated at 13.5 as has been the custom for PRC issues for a few years. Stamps were printed using photogravure by Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works.
6-1 is Artemisia annua L., 6-2 shows Lonicera japonica Thunb., and 6-3 is Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen. Scott lists these as a strip of three: 4999, individually numbered at 4999a, 4999b, 4999c. 6-4 is Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., 6-5 Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, 6-6 Carthamus tinctorius L. Scott number is 5000 for a strip of three with individuals 5000a, 5000b and 5000c. Gibbons numbers the complete set sequentially as individual issues: 5563 – 5568.
2023-21 National Archeology Site Park set of four issued on 2023 October 17. Each stamp is denominated at 1.20 yuan and is 50 x 30 mm and perforated 13. This set was designed by Wang Huming. It was printed using Offset + Engraving by Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works. The four sites are Liangzhu National Archeology Heritage Park, Taosi Temple Relics, Shimao City Ruins and Erlitou Ruins, 120 fen, 50 * 30 mm. Scott numbers are 5001 – 5004, Gibbons: 5569 – 5572.
2023-22 50th Anniversary of the Successful Breeding of the World's First Hybrid Rice. One stamp was issued to commemorate this important advance in agriculture. It was designed by Chen Nan, perforated at 13.5 and measures a somewhat unusual 33 * 44 mm. It was printed with Offset + Engraving by Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works. Scott: 5005, Gibbons: 5573.
2023-23: China Post issued a set of five commemorative stamps entitled Innovations in Science and Technology (Series 4) on November 1, 2023, the designs of which feature synthetic starch, perennial rice, the Mars rover Zhurong, the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory Kuafu-1 and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO).
The first stamp features an illustration of the first route developed for the artificial synthesis of starch from carbon dioxide without plant photosynthesis. Perennial rice is an innovation in rice breeding. Without reseeding, this new rice variety can be harvested twice a year or for several years after overwintering, which can greatly reduce labor input, maintain relatively stable yields, and achieve simplified rice production. The Mars rover Zhurong is the world’s first Mars rover with an active suspension system. It can not only withstand the complex environment of Mars, but also conduct scientific exploration, thus deepening knowledge of key scientific issues such as the evolution of Mars and its water/ice distribution. Kuafu-1 is an advanced solar exploration satellite independently proposed by Chinese solar physicists. The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), also independently proposed, designed and constructed by Chinese scientists, has new generation gamma ray telescopes and cosmic ray detectors with the unprecedented sensitivity. LHAASO is dedicated to decoding the origin of cosmic rays and hence more mysteries of the universe.
Designed by Du Yukai, this set of five stamps follows the characteristics of the previous three series: these stamps are made with modern illustration methods, with bright and lively colors to present fresh and natural visuals. The stamps are printed by Beijing Stamp Printing House Company Limited with offset printing technology. Special colorless fluorescent ink is applied to display richer information of the stamps under ultraviolet light. The first three designs each have a face value of 1.20 yuan, the last two are 1.5 yuan. Stamps are 40 x 30 mm and perforation is 13. The Scott numbers are 5006 – 5010, Gibbons: 5574 – 5578.
Next is 2023-24: Writers of Ancient China (Series 4) released 2023 Nov 8. This is also a set of five. All five are denominated 1.20 yuan. Stamps measure 30 x 40 mm and are perforated at 13.5.
The stamps feature the following writers: Ouyang Xiu (1007 – 1072), Su Shi (1037 – 1101), Li Qingzhao (1084 – c. 1105), Lu You (1125 – 1209) and Xin Qiji 1140 – 1207). They were designed by Ma Zhengshen and printed with photogravure by the Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works. Scott: 5011 – 5015, Gibbons: 5579 – 5583
2023-25 China Post issued a set of four special stamps entitled Integrated Development of the Yangtze River Delta on December 1, 2023. The designs of the stamps are Integrated Development of Science and Innovation Industry, Coordinated Protection and Restoration of Environment, Shared Access to Public Services, and High-level Coordinated Opening-up. Each stamp is valued at 1.20 yuan.
The first stamp includes sci-tech elements such as the automatic production line, buildings, artificial intelligence, information networks and cloud computing. The second one contains elements of landscapes for integrated ecological development. The third depicts access to government services via a single website, representative buildings and other elements reflecting shared access to basic public services. The fourth reveals the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)and the Pilot Free Trade Zone showing the high-level coordinated opening-up.
The set of stamps is designed by Song Jian and printed with photogravure technology by Beijing Stamp Printing House Company Limited. Stamps are 30 × 40 mm, perforated at 13.5. Scott: 5017 – 5020, Gibbons: 5585 – 5588.
2023-26 The second last set for 2023 is to celebrate the 130th Anniversary of the Birth of Mao Zedong. It was released on 2023 December 26, after 2023-27, the last set for the year. The four designs are entitled Persist in Resistance, Building the Ming Tombs Reservoir, Aspirant and Back to Jingang Mountains. Each stamp in this set has a face value of 1.20 yuan and measures 34 x 50 mm. They were designed by Ma Gang, Jin Jun. Perforations are 13 * 13.5. One mini sheet was issued with two copies of each design. The full sheet has twelve of each design. This issue was printed with photogravure by the Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works. Scott: 5024 – 5027 mini sheet 5027a, Gibbons: 5592 – 5595.
2023-27 Cultural World Heritage – Ancient City of Pingyao (released 2023 December 3). There are three designs in this set: Yingxun Gate, South Street and the Former Site of Rishengchang Bank. Each stamp has a face value of 1.20 yuan and measures 38 x 50 mm. There is also a mini sheet with one of each of the set.
This set was designed by Yan Bingwu and Rong Tie. Stamps are 38 x 50 mm and perforated 13 x 13.5. It was printed using photogravure by Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works. Scott: 5021 – 5023 with mini sheet 5023a, Gibbons: 5589 – 5591
Note: Scott New Listings (August 2024) says issue 2023-26 (Mao) was released on 2023 Dec 6 as the last issue of 2023. Scott says 2023-27 (Pingyao) was released on 2023 December 3. China Post says 2023-26 was released 2023 December 26 and 2023-27 on 2023 December 3. Perhaps the release date for 2023-26 in the Scott New Listings is missing a number and it will be corrected in a future issue.
That is the end of releases for 2023.