Scott No: 2457
Serial number: 1993-12
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: September 4, 1993
Designers: Zhang Anpu
Size: 30*40mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 40
Printing process: gravure

The commemorative stamp The Seventh National Games of the People's Republic of China, catalog number 1993-12, was issued on September 4, 1993. It consists of one stamp, produced using the photogravure process. The stamp measures 30×40 mm, with a perforation gauge of 11.5 degrees. Each sheet contains 40 stamps. It was designed by Zhang Anpu and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

Thematic Focus of the Set

This stamp was issued to celebrate the Seventh National Games held in Beijing. The Seventh National Games were a major comprehensive sports event in China in the 1990s. The main event was hosted in Beijing, with events co-hosted in Sichuan and Qinhuangdao, bringing together athletes from delegations across the country. The stamp uses the torch and a running athlete as its core carriers, combined with the numerical symbol representing the edition number. It promotes the sports spirit of striving, unity, and progress, showcasing the continuous breakthroughs and vigorous development of China's competitive sports.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

The Seventh National Games of the People's Republic of China

The main subject is a white silhouette of an athlete striding forward with a torch held high. A colorful arc-shaped ribbon behind the athlete forms the shape of the number "7," symbolizing both a running track and the Seventh National Games. In the lower right corner is the silhouette of the Temple of Heaven, indicating the host city, Beijing. The torch design is also the emblem of the Games. The flame takes the form of the Roman numeral VII, and the handle is composed of two inverted "7"s. The Seventh National Games featured 43 sports. A large number of athletes broke world, Asian, and national records, making it a concentrated showcase of China's sporting achievements in the 1990s.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp uses a modern, minimalist graphic design style. The forms are concise and generalized, without elaborate realistic sports details, relying on silhouettes and rainbow color blocks to create a strong sense of motion. The colors are bright and lively, and the composition is simple and powerful. It integrates the edition number symbol, torch, athlete, and city landmark into one, with high visual recognition and a strong contemporary feel. It is a representative work of abstract symbolic design in the National Games stamp series.