Hongkong Post commemorates Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong (with photos)
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    A set of two Postage Prepaid Postcards, Series No. 15 and No. 16, will be issued on Tuesday(December 13) to commemorate Hong Kong's hosting of the Sixth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference from December 13-18.
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     Postmaster General Mr Allan Chiang said the two Postage Prepaid Postcards could be sent via air mail without the need for a stamp. On Postcard Series No. 15, the front side depicts the large letters "WTO" with the letters containing a colourful collage of scenes from Hong Kong and the Chinese characters for Hong Kong in a rainbow pattern. Postcard Series No. 16 uses the large letters "HK" and the Chinese name of the WTO in a rainbow pattern.

     Commenting on this special postcard issue, Mr Chiang said: "Hong Kong is pleased and proud to host this internationally significant event, and Hongkong Post is delighted to commemorate this important milestone for Asia's world city with a unique postal product."

     The postcards were designed by Mr Clement Yick and printed by the Government Logistics Department. The selling price is $10 per set of two postcards. The postcard set will be available for sale from Tuesday, while stock lasts. There is a sales restriction of three sets per queuing customer.

     Information about sales of the philatelic products and sales restrictions starting from Tuesday are as follows:
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Product: Postage Prepaid Postcard Series No. 15 and No. 16 (1 set of 2 cards)
(available at General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun post offices, as well as the Temporary Post Office at the conference venue, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, HKCEC)
Unit Selling Price: $10 / set
Sales Restriction Per Queuing Customer: 3 sets

Product: Datestamped Postage Prepaid Postcard Series No. 15 and No. 16 with the Temporary Post Office postmark (Temporary P. O. 1) (1 set of 2 cards) (available at General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun post offices only)
Unit Selling Price: $10 / set
Sales Restriction Per Queuing Customer: 3 sets
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     Postcards will be on sale and a hand-back datestamping service will be provided at the General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun post offices, as well as the Temporary Post Office, on December 13, 2005 for the official postcards and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.  

     A special postmark will also be introduced. The datestamping arrangements are as follows:

Date: December 13, 2005 (Tuesday)
Available Postmark for Hand-back Service: Special Postmark / GPO-1 Postmark / "Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau" Postmark
Venue: General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun post offices (during normal office hours) / Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau (9am-5pm)

Date: December 13, 2005 (Tuesday)
Available Postmark for Hand-back Service: Philatelic Office Pictorial Postmark
Venue: General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun post offices (during normal office hours)

Date: December 13, 2005 (Tuesday)
Available Postmark for Hand-back Service: Special Postmark / Temporary Post Office Postmark
Venue: Temporary Post Office at the conference venue

     A Temporary Post Office will be set up from December 13-18 outside Hall 5 of the HKCEC, which will be accessible by personnel with a personalised accreditation badge allowing entry into the HKCEC.
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Services to be provided include:
* Speedpost acceptance
* Local CourierPost acceptance
* Parcel acceptance
* Ordinary mail posting
* Registered mail posting

The following services will not be available:
* PayThruPost
* Bulk mail acceptance
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     Further information about this issue can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.com, at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.

Ends/Friday, December 9, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:11

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