Scott Number: -
Serial number: 2011-20
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 810 fen
Date of issue: July 10, 2011
Size of stamp: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 16 (4 Sets)
Size of Sheet: 160 * 200 mm
Designer: Guo Zhenshan, Xue Yi
Printing process: Offset
Printer: Beijing Stamp Printing House

On July 10, 2011, the special stamp "Overseas Chinese Sentiments" (catalog number 2011-20) was officially issued. The set consists of four stamps with face values of 1.20 yuan, 1.20 yuan, 1.20 yuan, and 4.50 yuan respectively, for a total face value of 8.10 yuan. The stamps were designed by Guo Zhenshan and Xue Yi, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

The stamps feature four core carriers of Chinese culture preserved by overseas Chinese: traditional festivals, clan associations, Chinatowns, and Chinese-language education. Depicting overseas Chinese communities in Europe, Southeast Asia, North America, and Japan, they showcase the dedication of overseas Chinese who, while rooted in foreign lands and building new lives through hard work, have steadfastly maintained their Chinese cultural heritage and deep attachment to their homeland. Within the limited space of the stamps, the outward spread of Chinese culture and the blending of diverse civilizations are presented, bearing witness to the generations of overseas Chinese who have passed on their ethnic roots.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Traditional Festivals

Image: The Chinatown archway in London, with dragon dances and red lanterns creating a festive atmosphere, and the London Eye in the background.
History: During the Spring Festival, overseas Chinese hold traditional folk activities such as dragon and lion dances, making them the most direct carrier of Chinese folk culture maintained overseas.
Significance: Folk culture transcending national borders, serving as an emotional bond for the Chinese community.

Clan Associations

Image: The Chinese Chamber of Commerce building in Bangkok, Thailand, with stone lions at the entrance and the Grand Palace in the background.
History: Clan associations were mutual aid organizations for overseas Chinese in modern times, coordinating community affairs and providing mutual support, serving as important organizational pillars for overseas communities.
Significance: A symbol of solidarity and mutual assistance among overseas compatriots.

Chinatown
Image: A street scene of Chinatown in San Francisco, USA, with a Chinese archway and the Transamerica Pyramid in the background.
History: Chinatowns are iconic overseas Chinese residential areas, forming a unique blended culture of East and West and becoming cultural landmarks for overseas Chinese.
Significance: A classic symbol of overseas Chinese communities.

Chinese Schools

Image: The building of Yokohama Yamate Chinese School in Japan, with Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms in the background.
History: Chinese schools provide Chinese language education and pass on Chinese history and culture, helping maintain ethnic identity among descendants of overseas Chinese.
Significance: The educational foundation for the transmission of Chinese culture.

Artistic and Design Features:

Format: Unified vertical stamp format, with the four stamps printed together in a continuous sequence, providing a standardized and coordinated layout.
Composition: Chinese cultural elements in the foreground paired with landmarks of the host country, clearly illustrating the overseas Chinese presence rooted abroad while bridging cultures.
Color: Watercolor-style illustrations with warm, elegant colors, balancing Eastern charm with foreign influences.
Geographical Distribution: Balanced representation of Europe, Southeast Asia, North America, and East Asia, reflecting the global distribution of the Chinese diaspora.

This stamp set is a rare thematic issue focusing on overseas Chinese affairs in the modern stamp series. The subject matter covers overseas Chinese culture, Chinese diaspora communities, and Sino-foreign cultural exchange. With a wide range of face values and high regional recognizability in the designs, it is suitable for thematic collections on overseas Chinese history, cultural exchange, and international Chinese culture, offering a unique thematic scarcity.