Scott No: -
Serial number: 2008-9
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: April 13, 2008
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Guo Zhenshan
Size of stamps: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 12 * 11.5
Sheet composition: 12 ( 6 sets )
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Henan Provincial Posts and Telecommunications Printing House

On April 13, 2008, the special stamp "Boao Forum for Asia" (catalog number 2008-9) was officially issued. The set consists of two stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 2.40 yuan. The stamps were designed by Guo Zhenshan and printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory using offset printing. The issue coincided with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Hainan Province as a Special Economic Zone and the 30th anniversary of reform and opening-up.

The Boao Forum for Asia is a non-governmental, non-profit international dialogue platform based in Asia and open to the world. Its permanent site is located on Dongyu Island in Boao, Qionghai, Hainan. The Wanguan, Jiuqu, and Longgun rivers converge here and flow into the sea, creating a unique water town landscape. The stamps present a panoramic natural landscape on one stamp and an iconic modern building on the other, showcasing Boao's unique coastal ecology and its role as a window for opening-up. They bear witness to Hainan's development achievements over the past two decades, reflecting China's commitment to promoting regional exchange and cooperation in Asia and building a peaceful development environment.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Dongyu Island

Image: An aerial panoramic view of the convergence of the three rivers and the Yudai Beach separating the river from the sea, with coconut groves, islands, and waters blending together.
Significance: Dongyu Island, with its natural water system, forms the core landscape area of Boao. It combines tropical coastal wetland ecological value and is a representative natural feature of the Boao water town, with the expansive view symbolizing a broad development prospect.

Boao Forum for Asia Permanent Site

Image: The main subject is the Boao Forum for Asia International Convention Center, with a fountain in the foreground.
Significance: This is where annual Boao Forum conferences are held, bringing together political leaders, business figures, and academics for dialogue. It has become a landmark building symbolizing Hainan's and China's commitment to opening-up and multilateral international exchange.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a horizontal two-stamp continuous format, allowing the two designs to connect and form a complete visual composition. The design follows the contrast between "macro natural landscape and cultural landmark building." The color palette is dominated by blue and green, evoking the sea and sky, while the building is rendered in warm tones, creating a balanced contrast that highlights the fresh coastal character of the southern tropics. The designs are based on real photographs, with a natural and grand realistic style. The large sheet includes the inscription "20th Anniversary of the Establishment of Hainan Province as a Special Economic Zone" at the bottom, reinforcing the commemorative theme. Shaped perforations are used uniformly, enhancing the recognizability of the set.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of opening-up, regional scenery, and international forums, and is a representative item for Hainan-themed collections. Available in stamp set and large sheet formats, it is often collected together with other Hainan scenery and special economic zone stamps, making it an important item for thematic collections on reform and opening-up and regional scenery.