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Hongkong Post today (September 3) announced its Stamp Issuing Programme for 2005. The programme consists of 10 special stamp issues and other associated stamp products.

The Postmaster General, Mr Allan Chiang, said the 2005 programme would be particularly appealing to stamp collectors as it would offer a range of new and innovative designs featuring several interesting aspects of Hong Kong and Mainland China. Stamps with themes related to creativity and exploration include the Alphabet Stamps, Andersen's Fairy Tales, Zheng He's Maritime Expeditions, Creative Industries and the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China.

"Stamps with a local flavour include the Hong Kong Disneyland Grand Opening, Hong Kong Goldfish II and Hong Kong Pop Singers," Mr Chiang said. "A set of stamps on fishing villages to be issued jointly with Portugal Post will feature our own Tai O Fishing Village. All these new stamps will add value to the collection of Hong Kong stamps."

Individual special stamps and stamp products will be available in different formats and at different prices. The 10 new sets of stamps will be released according to a carefully planned schedule at different times throughout the year, beginning on January 4 with the Alphabet Stamps series, followed by a traditional Chinese New Year issue entitled Year of the Rooster on January 30. Details of each stamp issue will be announced closer to the date of issue.

In addition, three sets of special stamp sheetlets will be issued next year in January, April and September, which will be of special interest to stamp collectors. The new stamps and stamp products will be available to the public at all post offices. The issue dates are tentative and changes, if necessary, will be announced in due course.

Mr Chiang also announced the launch of the 2005 Local Standing Order Service. He described the service as the easiest and most convenient way of collecting Hong Kong stamps. "Starting from September 6, 2004, customers can order the 2005 stamp issues and related products in advance. With the service, there is no need to queue at post offices on the issue dates," he said. "Local Standing Order Service customers can also enjoy various incentive schemes with attractive souvenir items that are not for sale to the public. To enjoy these incentives, customers must submit their orders for 2005 stamp products on or before October 4, 2004."

The incentive offers include three separate schemes, one of which is specially provided for young collectors. Collectors can redeem prizes against bonus points awarded for purchases of stamps. Customers are offered a choice of different order plans, payment options and delivery modes to collect their Hong Kong stamp orders.

Service guides and application forms for the 2005 Local Standing Order Service will be available at all post offices from September 6 and at Commercial Press bookstores from Monday (September 6) to October 4. Customers can return completed application forms to any post office (except Mobile Post Offices); by post to the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau; or online at www.hongkongpoststamps.com. For enquiries, customers can call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.

Ends/Friday, September 3, 2004

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