To commemorate the Beijing Olympics, China Post will be issuing eight new stamp series.
1. Emblem and Mascots
This series was issued on 12 November 2005, the 1000-day countdown to the Beijing Olympics. It was also the day after the official unveiling of the emblem and mascots.
The six stamps are valued at 0.80 renminbi (RMB) and measures 30 mm x 40 mm each. The first stamp features the emblem while the rest feature the five mascots.
2. Olympic Sports (I)
Issued on 8 August 2006, this series depicts four Olympic sports in pictograph form, using the colors of the Olympic rings:
- 0.60 RMB – Basketball (Yellow)
- 0.80 RMB – Fencing (Green)
- 0.80 RMB – Sailing (Blue)
- 3.00 RMB – Gymnastics (Red)
Each stamp measures 30 mm x 40 mm.
3. Torch Relay Logo
This series, issued on 27 April 2007, comprises one stamp (30 mm x 30 mm) valued at 1.20 RMB. It features the official logo for the Olympics torch relay.
Adjoining the stamp is a tab of the same dimensions with the relay slogan printed on it. The tab allows for personalization with the customer’s choice of photo or image.
4. Olympic Sports (II)
This was issued on 8 August 2007, exactly one year after Series 2. The six stamps, valued at 1.20 RMB and measuring 30 mm x 40 mm each, depict the mascots participating in Olympic sports:
- Beibei – Diving
- Jingjing – Shooting
- Yingying – Athletics
- Nini – Volleyball
- Huanhuan – Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) cycling
- Jingjing – Weight lifting
Jingjing is featured twice, probably because he symbolizes the giant panda, China’s national treasure.
5. Venues
The images on the stamps have become more complicated with each new series. The most intricate by far is this series issued on 20 December 2007.
Showcasing seven of the 37 competition venues, it comprises six stamps (60 mm x 30 mm) and a miniature sheet (140 x 85 mm).
The stamps are:
- 0.80 RMB – China Agricultural University Gymnasium
- 1.20 RMB – Laoshan BMX Venue
- 1.20 RMB – National Indoor Stadium
- 1.20 RMB – Peking University Gymnasium
- 1.20 RMB – National Aquatics Center
- 3.00 RMB – Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center
The miniature sheet, valued at 6.00 RMB, showcases the National Stadium. A bird’s eye view of the entire stadium is shown within the pentagon-shaped stamp, while the sheet shows a close-up of the external steel trusses.
6. Torch Relay
This series was issued on 24 March 2008, one day before the torch relay started from Greece.
There are two stamps:
- ‘Light the Passion’ – Valued at 1.20 RMB and measuring 50 mm x 30 mm, it depicts Huanhuan with the Olympic torch.
- ‘Share the Dream’ – Valued at 3.00 RMB and measuring 30 mm x 50 mm, it shows a lit Olympic torch.
7. Opening Ceremony
A stamp valued at 1.20 RMB will be issued on 8 August 2008 to commemorate the opening of the Games. Its dimensions are 44 mm x 33 mm.
8. From Beijing to London
This series of four stamps (33 mm x 33 mm and valued at 1.20 RMB each) will be jointly issued with U.K.’s Royal Mail on 24 August 2008, after the conclusion of the Games.
This is a follow-up of From Athens to Beijing, jointly issued by Greece’s Hellenic Post and China Post on 13 August 2004. It symbolizes the extension of friendship and goodwill from the previous and current Olympic cities to London, host of the Games of the XXX Olympiad.
Kris Lee Wai Loon - Kris Lee has made a mid-career switch to freelance writing, and does not have any published/printed works to-date. Prior to this, in ...
