Scott No: -
Serial number: 2019-4
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: March 12, 2019
Denomination: 120 fen
Designer: Song Jian
Size of stamps: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 12
Sheet Size: 140 * 150 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

China Post scheduled the issuance of a set of commemorative stamps themed Arbor Day of China on March 12, 2019. The set contains one single stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan.

Afforestation has always been a fine tradition of the Chinese nation. In 1979, the 6th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 5th National People's Congress decided to designate March 12 as Arbor Day every year. The year 2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China's Arbor Day. Tree planting is not only the fulfillment of a legal obligation, but also a concrete action to build a beautiful China, promote the development of ecological civilization, and improve people's well-being. If everyone contributes their share and such efforts accumulate over time, the land of the motherland will become increasingly green and beautiful.

The stamp Arbor Day of China takes green as its dominant tone. The main pattern features a green homeland held up by two hands, where the arms symbolize tree trunks and the spread fingers represent branches. This design implies that everyone should take action personally to engage in afforestation and contribute to improving the living environment. Meanwhile, it also signifies that humans are the primary force tasked with the important responsibility of improving the global environment. Above the treetops in the pattern are vibrant green leaves. Among the layers of leaves, stylized graphics symbolizing cities, towns, villages, rivers, mountains, blue skies, white clouds and flying birds are interspersed. These elements convey the meaning that through nationwide afforestation campaigns, we can improve the ecological and living environments and collectively build a beautiful China with lucid waters and lush mountains.

Special green - series inks such as "light green", "dark green" and "special blue" were adopted in the stamp's printing process, creating a visual impression of a green homeland teeming with vigorous life, where grasses thrive and orioles sing. Variable pearlescent pigments are added to highlight the lush and juicy appearance of the leaves. The leaf - shaped special perforations add a sense of hope and fun for spring. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the stamp displays a scene of luxuriant foliage along with the number "40", which further embodies the core theme of the stamp. In addition, a QR code is printed on the border of the full sheet of this stamp set. Scanning it with a mobile phone allows viewers to watch a promotional video focusing on voluntary tree - planting for all citizens.

The stamp was designed by Song Jian and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing House using the photogravure technique.