Stamps issued for Pudong's 30th anniversary

A set of commemorative stamps was issued on July 20 to mark the 30th anniversary of the development and opening-up of Pudong New Area in Shanghai.

The five stamps feature the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Zhangjiang Science City, Lujiazui Financial City, the eastern bank of Huangpu River, and Yangshan Port, respectively. They were designed by Hon Bing-wah and cost 6 yuan (87 US cents) in total.

This is the second set of stamps themed around Shanghai's development, with the previous set being issued in 1996.

Wang Zhiqi, general manager of the postal service department of China Post, said that the stamps are meant to celebrate Pudong's status as a national pioneer, as well as its promising development prospects.

Postal authorities decided four months ago to issue the stamps, and eight artists produced 11 possible designs.

"It was a great honor to participate in the design," said Hon at the launch ceremony. "After receiving the offer, I traveled to Shanghai from Hong Kong for the first time."

Hon was a design adviser for Shanghai when the city bade for the 2010 World Expo. He also took part in the design of commemorative stamps for the 20th anniversaries of Hong Kong and Macao's return to China.