China Stamp: 2009-8

China Stamps
Name: China & World Expo
Number: 2009-8
Date of Issue: 01 May 2009
Value: 4 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20元 (4-1): China at Earlier Expos
1.20元 (4-2): China at Recent Expos
1.20元 (4-3): 1999 World Horticultural Expo Kunming
1.20元 (4-4): World Expo 2010 Shanghai

China's association with World Expo can be traced back to 1851, when Chinese products were displayed and won prizes at the first World Expo. After that, China attended the Expo events by sending governmental officials and businessmen delegations, entering products for exhibition, and in other forms. In 1982, New China for the first time participated in the Energy Expo World's Fair, held in Knowxille. In all the Expo events that followed, China exhibited its time-honored traditional culture and remarkable achievements made in the fields of economy, science and technology. The China Pavilions were cited as "Five-Star Exhibition Hall" and "Best Foreign Exhibition Hall" at the World Expos in 1988, 1992 and 1993.

After New China was founded in 1949, especially since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy, along with the enhancement of the overall national strength as a result of rapid economic development and social progress, China has established and maintained a closer relationship with the global event. In 1999, China successfully hosted the World Horticultural Expo in Kunming, which won acclaim worldwide and helped elevate the national image and the country's international standing. The World Expo 2010 would be the first comprehensive world exposition to be hosted by China. Themed on "Better City, Better Life," and devoted to exploring a better city life for human beings, the Expo 2010 will undoubtedly stage a wonderful dialogue among different human civilizations for history.