Scott No: 2681
Serial number: 1996-11
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: May 18, 1996
Designers: Yan Bingwu
Size of S/S: 77*140mm
Size of S/Sstamp: 50*90mm
Perforation: 12
Printing process: offset

The '96 China - Ninth Asian International Philatelic Exhibition, with unprecedented large scale, was held on May 18 to 24 at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, when the country marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of its postal service. Admissions to the first ever grand international philatelic exposition sponsored by China totaled more than 200,00 man-time.

With the help and support of the FIAP and FIP, the philatelic exhibition attracted participants from 20 countries and regions to show their 1,514 frames of stamps under 251 subjects. Also on display were nearly 100 documentary works on stamps. Meanwhile, a 6,400-square-meter sales hall, set up in accordance with the international convention, provided market place for postal departments and business people from tens of countries and regions. Together with other varied and interesting activities the exhibition was hailed as a great occasion in the postal service and philatelic circles in Asian and Pacific region .

The "East China People's Service", a collection by Chinese philatelist Shen Zenghua, and the stamp collection under the title of "A History of the Chinese Military Postal Service (1943-55) " by Chinese philatelist Li Shuguang won the top prizes for the traditional and championship groups. It was the first time Chinese stamps won honors in international philatelic exhibitions. Among the four prizes the philatelic exhibition had established, the State prize and the Best Youth Prize went to China¡¯s Shen Zenghua and Kang Le, respectively; and the honorary prize and international prize were awarded to philatelists from Australia and Thailand.

Some 140 Chinese philatelic exhibits won prizes at the show, accounting for 42 per cent of the 355 prize-winners. The achievements made in the Asian philatelic exhibition which examined and appraised the exhibits strictly in line with the FIAP rules, showed that China's philatelic level had rapidly mounted onto a new stage.