Scott No: 2980-83
Serial number: 1999-16
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 320fen
Date of issue: 1 November 1999
Designers: Hu Zhenyuan
Size:
40*30mm for Value 1 and 2
30*40mm for Value 3 and 4
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 20
Printing process: offset
Printer: Shenyang Posts and Telecommunications Printing House

The special stamp set Scientific and Technological Achievements was issued on November 1, 1999. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 3.20 yuan. It was designed by Hu Zhenyuan and Hao Xudong and printed by Shenyang Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory in Liaoning Province using offset printing. This stamp set was issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It selects four landmark achievements representing China's basic science and high-tech fields, showcasing major breakthroughs in Chinese scientific research at the turn of the century.

As China's highest academic and scientific research institution, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has achieved internationally influential results over fifty years in basic theory, paleontology, deep-sea equipment, and astronomical observation. The stamp set balances basic theoretical research and engineering applications, spanning from ancient life fossils and deep-sea exploration equipment to number theory breakthroughs and large astronomical observation facilities. It covers four major directions: paleontology, deep-sea engineering, mathematics, and astronomy. It showcases the scientific spirit of Chinese researchers in overcoming difficulties and exploring the unknown, and highlights China's scientific and technological development strength.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Early Cambrian Chengjiang Biota

The main image is a fossil specimen from the Chengjiang Biota, with a deep blue background and a halo setting off the fossil. The Chengjiang Biota was discovered in Chengjiang, Yunnan, dating back about 520 million years. It completely preserves soft-body fossils of early Cambrian animals, confirming the Cambrian explosion of life. It is a world-class major discovery in paleontology, providing precious physical evidence for studying early life evolution.

6000-Meter Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The stamp presents a 6000-meter autonomous underwater vehicle, with the main equipment structure clearly depicted against a deep-sea background. This underwater vehicle can dive to a depth of 6000 meters and conduct seabed exploration and resource surveys. It marks a leap in China's deep-sea unmanned exploration technology and is important equipment for China's deep-sea exploration.

Best Result on Goldbach's Conjecture

The stamp uses a light purple background, with a silhouette paired with the mathematical formula "1+2." Chinese mathematician Chen Jingrun proved "1+2," which remains the best result achieved in the study of Goldbach's Conjecture to date. It has had a profound impact in the international field of number theory and represents the pinnacle of China's basic mathematics research.

2.16-Meter Astronomical Telescope

The main image is a 2.16-meter optical astronomical telescope standing in an observatory. This telescope is located at the Xinglong Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatories in Hebei. It was the largest optical astronomical telescope in China at the time. It is used for observing stars and galaxies, supporting astrophysics research and providing core equipment support for China's astronomical observation.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses a modern technological realistic design. The colors are calm and restrained, highlighting the scientific research achievements themselves. The offset printing provides clean images, clearly presenting fossil textures, equipment structures, and mathematical formulas. The set is arranged in two pairs of continuous stamps, with two vertical and two horizontal formats, providing formal variety. The four achievements correspond to ancient times, the deep sea, theory, and the starry sky, covering a complete range of exploration dimensions. It is a classic special stamp in the science and technology theme at the end of the century.