Special Stamp Issue - "Giant Pandas"

Mint Stamps

A special set of stamps on the theme of “Giant Pandas” will be issued on 1 July 2008 (Tuesday). To raise fund to support the rebuilding of panda facilities in Sichuan, Hongkong Post will also issue the Limited Edition Prestige Stamp Products with Giant Panda Paw Print on the same day.

Le Le and Ying Ying, a pair of giant panda cubs, arrived in Hong Kong in 2007 as a gift from the Central Government in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. To mark the first anniversary of their public debut on 1 July 2007, Hongkong Post has issued stamps depicting the natural charm of the adorable pair.

The vivacity of the chubby and carefree cubs stands out in their pictures, which appear in heart ($1.40), leaf ($2.40), panda head ($3) and flower ($5) shapes in this set of four stamps. Similar miniature patterns in pastel colour dotted around their pictures add to the delightful mood.

Warmly welcomed by the local community, the national treasures came to Hong Kong at the age of almost two from the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province. Back then, they both weighed around 60 kg and measured 102 cm in length. Though the same age and of similar physique, Le Le, the male, and Ying Ying, the female, have different characteristics and personalities. With more rounded eye patches and smooth and shiny fur, Le Le is playful and gentle. Distinguished by her more elongated eye patches, Ying Ying is quiet but inquisitive.

The giant panda is an endangered species. The solitary animal can grow up to 180 cm in length and heaviest up to 181.5 kg in weight during adulthood. A slow breeder and picky eater, the wild giant panda is now only found in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi, the three main giant panda distribution areas in China. Bamboo is the staple food for the black and white panda, making up 99% of its diet.

Sales Arrangements

37 philatelic offices will open on 1 July 2008 from 9am to 2pm, except the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office which will open from 9am to 5pm, and Airport Post Office from 8am to 5pm. Announcements will be made through various means to advise customers to approach the 37 philatelic offices for service on 1 July 2008 since all the remaining non-philatelic offices will not open for service that day.

Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this set of stamps starting from 1 July 2008 is as follows:

Remarks:

1. The above philatelic products are included in the 2008 Local Standing Order Service / 2008 Overseas Mail Order Service. 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.

Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at ALL post offices from 17 to 30 June 2008, and will be available for sale at 37 philatelic offices on 1 July 2008. This set of stamps 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 37 philatelic offices from 17 to 23 June 2008.

Collection of Advance Orders by LSOS Customers

Customers with designated collection office at the non-philatelic offices will be informed in advance about the arrangement for order collection on 1 July 2008.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements

A hand-back datestamping service will be provided on 1 July 2008 at 37 philatelic offices, for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication 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.

Stamp Printing Details

Presentation Pack (Cover and Inside Design)	Mini-pane	Souvenir Pack (Cover and Inside Design)
Special Postmark	Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a set of Mint Stamps
Postage Prepaid Picture Cards (Air Mail)