030319en05002

	news.gov.hk
	From Hong Kong's Information Services Department

March 19, 2003

Philately

HK Stamp Expo set for January

The Hong Kong 2004 Stamp Expo cum the 17th Asian International Stamp Exhibition will be held January 30 to February 3 at the Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Under the theme Tourism, the event aims to promote philately as a healthy and educational pastime, Postmaster General PC Luk said.

Stamp showcase: Hongkong Post will issue the first of the six stamp sheetlets (left) and a cachet (centre) on April 8 to mark the HK 2004 Stamp Expo. A first-day cover (right) will also be released on March 27 on pop singer Kelly Chen's appointment as HK Philatelic Ambassador.

It will be organised by Hongkong Post, the Hong Kong Philatelic Society, the China Philatelic Association and the Tsim Sha Tsui Philatelic Club, with the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately as the patron.

To mark the event, a series of six stamp sheetlets each depicting a different facet of tourism will be issued.

The first sheetlet, Nightlife, will be issued April 8 at $10 each.

The sheetlet and its presentation pack is now on display at the General Post Office as well as post offices in Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin.

Official first-day covers at $1 each are also on sale.

Serviced first-day covers with a stamp sheetlet, special postmark and cachet will be put on sale at $13.50 each at the 39 philatelic offices on April 8.

A special postmark and cachet to commemorate the event will also be available on that day.

Meanwhile, Hongkong Post has appointed pop singer Kelly Chen as Hong Kong's Philatelic Ambassador for 2003-04 to promote stamp collecting among youngsters.

A souvenir cover will be issued on March 27 to mark the occasion.