"Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay (Hong Kong)"Heartwarming II Stamp Mini-panes

To celebrate the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong on 2 May 2008 (Friday), a set of two "Heartwarming II" Stamp Mini-panes (one each for local mail and air mail postage) with stamp-tabs imprinted with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay logo, will be issued on that day.

The passing of the Olympic flame is a ceremonious ritual for spreading the Olympic spirit of global friendship and peace. As the co-host city for the Equestrian Events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Hong Kong is honoured to participate in this important tradition. To mark the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong on 2 May 2008, Hongkong Post issues this souvenir cover in celebration of this spectacular event. 

The Torch Relay takes the theme "Journey of Harmony" to embody the Olympic ideal. The 130-day Torch Relay, commencing on 24 March in Olympia, Greece, covers 137,000 km in the hands of 21,880 torchbearers, reaching a record high in terms of both the length of route and the number of torchbearers. The Olympic flame will, after an extensive journey touring the five continents and a promising attempt at scaling the summit of the world at Mount Qomolangma, finally return to Beijing to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on 8 August 2008.

Hong Kong is the first stop on Chinese soil after the Olympic flame has been carried through the five continents. The torch will be carried across the territory from Kowloon through the New Territories to Hong Kong Island by 120 torchbearers running or using various modes of transportation such as dragon boat and launch. The 8-hour relay will start at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, pass the Main Competition Arena of the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (Sha Tin) and end at Golden Bauhinia Square, a route to showcase major landmarks and scenic spots of the city.

The local relay route is shown in the backdrop of the souvenir cover, highlighting the logo of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and the slogan "Light the Passion Share the Dream" . The logo presents two runners holding aloft the Olympic flame in the image of a phoenix to symbolise the legendary "Fire Phoenix". The focus of the souvenir cover falls on the Beijing Olympic Torch, the design of which boasts Chinese artistic heritage and technical excellence.

Sales Arrangements

Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this set of stamp mini-panes starting from 2 May 2008 is as follows:

Remarks:

1. The above philatelic products are not included in the 2008 Local Standing Order Service / 2008 Overseas Mail Order Service.  Order form had already been issued to 2008 Local Standing Order Service / 2008 Overseas Mail Order Service customers. For local customers, please contact Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau Hotline for enquiry at 2785 5711 or fax at 2191 9296.
2. For overseas customers, please ensure there is sufficient balance in your account to pay your advance order. Otherwise, your order will be processed only when the stock is still available after all orders have been fulfilled. For any enquiries, please contact Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau (Overseas Mail Order Service Unit) Hotline at 852-2928 7211 or fax at 852-2850 6552.

* No Individual stamps will be available for sale

Official Souvenir Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices as from 18 April 2008. This set of mini-panes and the associated philatelic products will be displayed at General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office as from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from 18 to 24 April 2008.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements
A hand-back datestamping service will be provided on 2 May 2008 at all post offices, for official and privately-made covers, bearing the indication of the event and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced. This will be available, together with the GPO-1 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmark, for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.

Also on 2 May 2008, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau on 1/F., Trade Square, 681 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, will open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmark.

Stamp Printing Details

Serviced Souvenir Cover affixed with two "Heartwarming II" Stamps	Special Postmark