Hongkong Post to issue “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development” special stamps (with photos)

     Hongkong Post announced today (February 10) the release of a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development" on February 18 (Friday).
 
     The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) is a key strategic plan in the Country's development blueprint. The objectives are to deepen co-operation amongst Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, promote coordinated regional economic development of the Greater Bay Area and fully leverage the composite advantages of the three places, with a view to developing an international first-class bay area ideal for living, working and travelling. The Central Government promulgated the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Outline Development Plan) on February 18, 2019, setting out the directions guiding the development of the Greater Bay Area. The development of the Greater Bay Area brings new opportunities for Hong Kong, enabling Hong Kong to enjoy brighter development prospects amid its integration into the overall development of the Country.
 
     February 18, 2022, marks the third anniversary of the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan. Hongkong Post will issue a set of 11 stamps on "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development" with a face value of $2 each, showing the landmarks and latest developments of the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and the nine municipalities in Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing, within the Greater Bay Area.
 
     Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are positioned as core engines for regional development of the Greater Bay Area. The design and layout of the souvenir sheet also places these four core cities on the first row, accompanied by the Greater Bay Area map. It represents how the core cities strengthen the radiating effect in leading the development of nearby regions, while the other seven key node cities give full play to their own advantages, deepening reform and innovation, complementing each other in their functions and developing in a coordinated manner.
 
     The cover of the presentation pack shows the landmarks of the 11 cities, with the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region connected in lines, demonstrating the enhanced connectivity of the cities with a strong complementarity to each other. A larger network is formed to improve the quality of life in the region, and promote economic, sports and cultural development. This stamp issue is set to be a meaningful collectible.
 
     For the convenience of purchasing the above stamp products, as well as to reduce social contacts in view of the latest developments of the local epidemic situation, Hongkong Post will reopen its online advanced order service from 8am on February 11 to February 17 to enable customers to place their orders for the above special stamps and associated philatelic products. Customers may place their orders on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall "ShopThruPost" (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) without the need of visiting the post offices. Hongkong Post will separately notify customers of the collection date of their orders.
 
     To avoid gathering of people at the post offices and to observe social distancing, there will not be any hand-back date-stamping service for official first day covers/souvenir covers/private covers on the date of issue of this set of special stamps (February 18), but collection points will be set up at all post offices to receive covers requiring the hand-back date-stamping service. These date-stamped covers will be available for collection from February 19 and customers will be advised on the collection schedule upon acceptance of the covers. In addition, the deadline of accepting orders for servicing self-provided covers will also be extended to February 17. There will not be any change in the collection schedule for customers who have previously placed advance orders for this set of special stamps before February 4.
 
     To join hands in fighting the virus, customers are encouraged to place their purchases online either through the online advanced order service or from the day of the new stamp issue (February 18). Those who have a genuine need to visit the post offices are advised to refrain from staying after their purchases.
 
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) and the "ShopThruPost" mobile app.