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Following is the speech by the Acting Postmaster General, Mr Allan Chiang at the "50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China" Special Stamps Issuing Ceremony today (Friday):

The Acting Chief Executive, the Honourable Elsie Leung, ladies and gentlemen,

I am very glad to celebrate with you the "50th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China". On this meaningful day which carries great significance, I would like to give special thanks to the Acting Chief Executive for sparing the time to officiate today's stamps issuing ceremony.

Being a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong celebrates this big day with joy and excitement. Hongkong Post also joins in commemorating this historical event by issuing the "50th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" special stamps.

This set of stamps has four denominations. The right hand side of the stamps features in artistic form the figure "5" and the national emblem, symbolizing the 50th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. The background of each stamp has an illustration of Hong Kong's coastline at different times of the day: the National and Special Administrative Region flags flying high in the morning beam; the Hong Kong Bauhinia blooming in the afternoon; the evening filled with the gaiety of a dragon dance; and the night brighted up by glamorous firework display. On behalf of the staff of Hongkong Post, I wish our country, of which Hong Kong is a part, a prosperous and bright future.

Thank you.

End/Friday, October 1, 1999

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