China Sheetlet: 2009-25

China Sheetlet II
Name: 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国成立六十周年)
Number: 2009-25
Date of Issue: 01 October 2009
Value: 8 stamps/sheet

Denominations:
1.20元 (4-1): Founding Ceremony (开国大典)
The founding of New China was a historic decision of the Chinese people. On October 1, 1949, during the founding ceremony held on the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Chairman Mao Zedong stood on the Tiananmen Rostrum and solemnly declared to the world the establishment of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. The founding of the PRC heralded a new era of Chinese history, in which the Chinese people enjoy equal respect, dignity and freedom and the Chinese nation stands in a brand-new imposing manner in the east of the Earth.

1.20元 (4-2): Reform and Opening-Up (改革开放)
The reform and opening-up has led the Chinese people onto the road for prosperity and affluence. On December 18, 1978, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC was held in Beijing. The session re-established the guideline of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, and decided to shift the Party's and the state's working focus to the construction of socialist modernization and implement the strategic policy of reform and opening-up.

1.20元 (4-3): The Return of Hong Kong and Macao (港澳回归)
On July 1, 1997, the handover ceremony between Chinese and British governments was held in Hong Kong, proclaiming China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the founding of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of PRC. On December 20, 1999, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao. The return of Hong Kong and Macao symbolized an end to the humiliation in Chinese history, saw successful implementation of the scientific concept of "On Country, Two Systems", and erected a historic milestone in the great cause of national reunification.

1.20元 (4-4): Olympic Pageant (奥运盛典)
On August 8, 2008, the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, kicked off at the National Stadium in Beijing, with the Olympic flame ignited for the first time in China. Athletes from different countries and regions competed in a diversity of events. Eventually, China led the world in the Olympic gold medal tally with 51 golds. The Beijing Olympics fully demonstrated the unity and friendship between people of different countries around the world, showcased the sublime spirit and quality of human beings, brought additional glory to the Olympic movement, and wrote a new chapter for the peaceful development of mankind.