Zheng He spirit: The three $1.40 stamps issued by Hongkong Post depict a Likeness of Zheng He, Exploration, Trade & Diplomacy, and Seamanship & the Science of Navigation.

A set of special stamps will be issued on June 28 to mark the 600th Anniversary of Zheng He's Maritime Expeditions in the 15th century, Postmaster General Allan Chiang announces.

Mr Chiang said the stamps commemorate the first of Zheng He's seven voyages, which show his determination and enterprising spirit, adding his formidable explorations were unparalleled in the world's maritime history.

Zheng He, an important historical figure, commanded seven expeditions to the "Western Oceans" on royal orders between AD1405 and 1433.

Steered by stars and directed by the compass, his fleet used nautical astronomy and geonavigation to visit more than 30 countries and regions in Asia and Africa, successfully extending Chinese influence in culture and technology as well as fostering trade and goodwill.

Zheng He's impressive flotilla comprised more than 200 ships and a crew of more than 20,000. The 100-metre long flagships, known as "treasure ships", sailed in convoy with a fleet of battleships, combat billets, supply ships, water tankers and horse ships.

Joint issue with Mainland, Macau

The size of the fleets sent, the equipment used and the distance travelled all demonstrated that nautical technology in China during the Ming Dynasty was well ahead of other maritime powers.

Hongkong Post, China Post and Macau Post will each issue a set of three commemorative stamps and a stamp sheetlet on June 28. This is the fifth stamp issue jointly issued by these three postal administrations.

The three $1.40 stamps issued by Hongkong Post depict a Likeness of Zheng He, Exploration, Trade & Diplomacy, and Seamanship & the Science of Navigation. The $10 stamp sheetlet features Zheng He's mighty fleet.

The mini-pane and stamp sheetlet are designed by Carl Cheng and printed in lithography by Beijing Stamp Printing Factory.

The stamps will be displayed in the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin Central post offices from June 7. Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day.

Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at 39 philatelic offices from June 7 to 13.

A hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices on June 28 for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.

A special postmark will be introduced. The GPO-1 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmark will also be available for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.

On June 28, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will be open from 9am to 5pm for datestamping covers with the 'Philatelic Bureau' pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmark.

For details, click here, or call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline, 2785 5711.