Scott No: 1686
Serial number: J69
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: May 17, 1981
Denomination: 8 fen
Designer: Chen Xiaocun
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 11.5*11
Sheet composition: 50 (10*5)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

J69 "World Telecommunication Day — Telecommunications and Health" commemorative stamp was issued on May 17, 1981. The set consists of 1 stamp, printed by photogravure, designed by Chen Xiaocong, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. Stamp size 30 mm × 40 mm, perforation gauge 11.5 × 11, 50 stamps per sheet.

Theme of the Set

May 17 is World Telecommunication Day, and the theme designated for World Telecommunication Day in 1981 was telecommunications and health. This stamp was issued under this theme to express the application value of telecommunications technology in the medical and health field—using communication means to transmit medical information, carry out remote rescue, and popularize health knowledge—embodying the social significance of telecommunications in serving public health undertakings and echoing the International Telecommunication Union's concept of communications benefiting humanity.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

World Telecommunication Day — Telecommunications and Health

The background color is a deep navy blue. In the upper left corner is the emblem of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and in the upper right corner is the emblem of the World Health Organization. At the center is a bundle of multicolored interwoven flowing lines that stretch upward and converge, gather downward, and ingeniously combine to form the numeral "81," indicating the year of issuance. The vertical lines at the center symbolize a medical syringe, representing health and hygiene; the surrounding colored flowing lines represent telecommunications signals and radio wave transmission. The two images of telecommunications transmission and medical health are integrated, intuitively interpreting the theme of this World Telecommunication Day. The thematic text and date are printed at the top of the stamp, and the words "China People's Post" are arranged on the right side.

Artistic Design Features

The design adopts a modern abstract logo-based approach, with a symmetrical and balanced composition, smooth and soft lines, and rich, bright colors. There are no realistic images; it uses symbolic graphics for creative expression, condensing the emblems of two international organizations, the year, and the two major thematic elements into a single picture—concise and condensed. The dark background sets off the colored lines, giving strong visual impact. It is a work with a strong modern design sense among early 1980s international-themed stamps.