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The Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping-chuen, announced today (Wednesday) that a set of six stamps featuring tourist spots of Hong Kong and Singapore will be issued on July 1.

"This is a joint stamp issue with Singapore Post to promote tourism," said Mr Luk.

Featured in the stamps are some of the tourist attractions offered by the two metropolitan cities.

They are: Hong Kong Harbour ($1.20 stamp), Skyline of Singapore ($1.30 stamp), Giant Buddha ($2.50 stamp), The Merlion at Sentosa ($2.60 stamp), Hong Kong Street Scene ($3.10 stamp) and Bugis Junction ($5 stamp).

The stamps are designed by Mr Arde Lam, and printed in hexachrome stochastic lithography by Banknote Corporation of America, Inc.

As from tomorrow (Thursday), the stamps will be displayed for advance public viewing at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office.

Official first day covers will be put on sale at all post offices throughout Hong Kong at $1 each on the same day.

Advance orders for servicing self-provided first day covers will be accepted at the post offices from tomorrow until June 19.

All post offices will open on July 1 from 9 am to 4 pm. A restriction of ten sheets of stamps of each denomination (viz 250 sets of stamps), twenty souvenir sheets, 5 serviced first day covers, and 5 presentation packs per queuing customer will be imposed.

A pair of postmarks portraying Hong Kong's floral emblem, Bauhinia; and Singapore's Merlion will be introduced.

Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices to official and privately-made covers bearing indication of the first day of issue on July 1.

The GPO-1 hand stamp will also be available for hand-back service at 26 philatelic offices in Hong Kong.

To commemorate this joint stamp issue and to promote tourism, a stamp exhibition on tourism will be held at 2-2C and 2-2D of the Cityplaza, Taikoo Shing on July 1 between 11.30 am and 6.30 pm.

Apart from sales booths, stamp displays will be put up by the Hong Kong Philatelic Society, China Philatelic Association, Tsim Sha Tsui Philatelic Club and Police Philatelic Club.

"A cachet will be introduced to commemorate our participation in this exhibition," Mr Luk said.

"The cachet will be available for general cancellation at the philatelic offices from July 1 to 3, and at the exhibition in Taikoo Shing on July 1," he added.

In Singapore, a promotional activity, "Singapore - Hong Kong, China Joint Stamp Issue and Exhibition", will be staged at Bugis Junction from July 1 to 4.

End/Wednesday, June 9, 1999

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