Scott No: -
Serial number: 2023-23
Values in set: 5
Date of issue: November 1, 2023
Denomination: 660 fen
Designer: Du Yukai
Size of stamps: 40 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
Size of sheet: 190 * 130 mm
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

China Post is scheduled to issue a set of 5 commemorative stamps themed "Scientific and Technological Innovation (IV)" on November 1, 2023. The stamps bear the design titles respectively: Artificial Starch Synthesis, Perennial Rice, "Zhurong" Mars Rover, "Kuafu-1" Solar Observatory Satellite, and High-Altitude Cosmic Ray Observatory. The total face value of the entire stamp set is 6.60 yuan, with a planned circulation of 7,000,000 sets.

Researchers from the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have achieved a major breakthrough in artificial starch synthesis—marking the world’s first realization of de novo synthesis of starch from carbon dioxide without relying on plant photosynthesis. Perennial rice represents an innovation in rice breeding: it only needs to be planted once, yet can be harvested for two consecutive seasons or for several years after overwintering. This significantly reduces labor input while maintaining relatively stable yields, enabling simplified and efficient rice production. The "Zhurong" Mars Rover is the world’s first Mars rover equipped with an active suspension mobility system. It can not only withstand the complex Martian environment but also conduct scientific exploration, deepening human understanding of key scientific issues such as Martian evolution and the distribution of subsurface water/ice. "Kuafu-1" (the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory, ASO-S) is a dedicated comprehensive solar exploration satellite independently proposed by Chinese solar physicists. It has achieved a leapfrog breakthrough in China’s space-based solar exploration satellites and ushered in a new era of China’s comprehensive space-based solar observation. The High-Altitude Cosmic Ray Observatory (LHAASO) is a new-generation gamma-ray telescope and cosmic ray detection facility independently proposed, designed, and constructed by China. It boasts unprecedented gamma-ray detection sensitivity and will be dedicated to unraveling the mystery of cosmic ray origins, as well as exploring more cosmic secrets through cosmic ray observations.

Inheriting the series characteristics of the first three sets, this stamp set is created in a modern illustration style, featuring bright and vivid colors and fresh, natural images. It was designed by Du Yukai and printed by Beijing Stamp Factory Co., Ltd. using the offset printing process. Meanwhile, colorless fluorescent special ink is adopted—under ultraviolet (UV) lamp irradiation, richer scientific principles and information are revealed.