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The Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping-chuen, announced today (September 10) that Hongkong Post will issue a souvenir cover to commemorate its participation in the International Stamp and Coin Expo, Beijing 2002. It will be available for sale at the 38 philatelic offices from September 12, 2002 to September 26, 2002.

This Expo will be held at the World Trade Centre in Beijing. As this is the first international stamp and coin exhibition since China has joined the World Trade Organization and Beijing's successful bidding for hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, the theme of the Expo is to promote the economical development and facilities in China.

The design of the cover features a China ancient coin and a Hong Kong commemorative gold coin which was issued on the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1, 1997, representing China and Hong Kong's joint participation in this stamp and coin exposition.

The price of the cover is $2 each and its issue day will be September 26, 2002.

A special postmark and a cachet will be introduced to commemorate the event on September 26, 2002. Arrangements for hand-back service and application of cachet are as follow:

Item: Special Postmark

Date: 26.9.2002

Venue: 38 Philatelic Offices and Exhibition Venue

Item: "GPO-1" and "Philatelic Bureau" Pictorial Postmarks

Date: 26.9.2002

Venue: 38 Philatelic Offices

Item: Cachet

Date: 26 - 28.9.2002

Venue: 38 Philatelic Offices and Exhibition Venue

Item: Cachet

Date: 29.9.2002

Venue: General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Airport Post Office and Exhibition Venue

All philatelic offices will open as per normal working hours on September 26, 2002 to provide a full range of counter services. The public hall of Hongkong Post Stamps Philatelic Bureau will open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on September 26, 2002 for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark as well as the special postmark.

End/Tuesday, September 10, 2002

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