Happy anniversary: Hong Kong will issue a cachet commemorating its participation in the China 2003 - 16th Asian International Stamp Exhibition.

Hongkong Post will participate in the "China 2003 - 16th Asian International Stamp Exhibition" in Mianyang City, Sichuan, November 20-24, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first Chinese stamp.

The State Post Bureau of China and the All China Philatelic Federation are organising the event with the support of the People's Government of Mianyang under the patronage of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately.

Hongkong Post will issue a $2 souvenir cover to commemorate its participation in the exhibit. The cover will be available at 39 philatelic offices November 6-20 and at the exhibition in Sichuan.

Special postmark, cachet to celebrate event

The post office is introducing a special postmark and cachet to commemorate the event. Hand-back service for the special postmark will be provided for official and privately-made covers at 39 philatelic offices and at the exhibition's November 20 opening.

The "GPO-1" postmark, "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back service at all philatelic offices that day. A special cachet will be available for application on covers at the exhibition venue and all philatelic offices during normal office hours throughout the exhibition period.

The Philatelic Bureau's public hall will open from 9am to 5pm on November 20 for datestamping covers with the three postmarks.