Scott No: -
Serial number: 2010-21
Values in set: 1
Denomination: 120 fen
Date of issue: September 3, 2010
Designer: Shen Jiahong
Size of stamp: 20 mm (hexagon)
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
Size of sheet: 220 * 150 mm
Printing process: photogravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

On September 3, 2010, the commemorative stamp "Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games" (catalog number 2010-21) was officially issued, marking the 100-day countdown to the Guangzhou Asian Para Games. The set consists of one stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan, designed by Shen Jiahong and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. This is China Post's first hexagonal-shaped stamp and belongs to the year's supplementary issues.

The Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games was the first Asian multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities to be held in China, with the slogan "We Gather, We Share, We Win." The stamp features the official emblem of the Games as its central visual element, promoting the humanitarian spirit of the Paralympics and presenting the perseverance and determination of para-athletes, while conveying the values of inclusivity, equality, friendship, and mutual assistance. As a cultural carrier of the Games, the stamp showcases China's achievements in sports for people with disabilities to Asia, complementing the 16th Asian Games stamp series and jointly documenting the two major Asian sporting events held in Guangzhou in 2010.

Stamp Design and Historical Background:

Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games

Image: The main design features the official emblem of the Guangzhou Asian Para Games, which is inspired by the traditional Xiguan window lattice of Lingnan architecture, using red, green, and blue to form a running figure. The stamp includes the event name in Chinese and English, with the theme slogan surrounding the stamp.
History: The Guangzhou Asian Para Games were held in December 2010, bringing together para-athletes from across Asia. The window lattice motif symbolizes openness and inclusivity, while the running figure represents overcoming limitations and pursuing dreams, reflecting the event's philosophy of "Light of Asia, Light of Life."
Significance: China's first Asian Para Games-themed stamp and the first hexagonal-shaped stamp in New China, carrying landmark innovative significance.

Artistic and Design Features:

Format Innovation: The rare hexagonal shape breaks away from the traditional rectangular stamp format, representing a pioneering achievement in the history of Chinese stamp design.
Color Design: The background features a gradient rainbow glow, creating a warm and positive atmosphere, while the three-color emblem is highly recognizable.
Sheet Design: The margins of the large sheet feature simple silhouettes of various para-sports, enriching the overall theme.
Thematic Connection: Related to the 16th Asian Games stamp series, these two sets together document the two major Asian events held in Guangzhou.

The most distinctive feature of this stamp is its hexagonal shape, making it a landmark issue. It covers themes of para-sports, continental multi-sport events, and Guangzhou's sporting culture. As a single-stamp issue, it is closely connected to the Guangzhou Asian Games series, and its unique shape makes it highly recognizable. It is suitable for thematic collections on sports events, shaped stamps, and humanitarian themes related to disability, and is a popular standout issue in the 2010 modern stamp series.