Scott No: -
Serial number: 2012-14
Values in set: 6
Date of issue: June 30, 2012
Denomination: 720 fen
Designer: Yan Bingwu
Size of stamps: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I;
12 for Sheet II (2 Sets)
220 * 160 mm for Sheet I;
170 * 160 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: engraving and offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

**Special Stamps 2012-14 *Footprints of the Red Revolution*** were officially issued on June 30, 2012. Released to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and greet the convening of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the issue also echoes the national publicity campaign for red tourism development. The full set contains six stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, bringing the total face value to 7.2 yuan. Designed and engraved by Yan Bingwu, the stamps were printed at Beijing Stamp Printing House. Each stamp measures 50mm×30mm. Adopting offset-engraved combined printing technology, multiple anti-counterfeiting measures are applied, including security paper, security ink, special-shaped perforations and fluorescent inkjet codes. With exquisite overall craftsmanship, it constitutes a set of solemn special stamps featuring distinct revolutionary themes.

The six stamps select six landmark revolutionary sites following the key historical timeline of China’s New Democratic Revolution, forming a complete historical sequence:
Founding rural revolutionary base areas → Establishment of Soviet political power → Life-or-death turning point during the Long March → Victorious rendezvous concluding the Long March → Headquarters of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression → Final rural command post for the Liberation War.

Designs & Historical Background for Individual Stamps

Jinggang Mountains

Design: Mountain scenery of the Jinggang Mountains
History: In October 1927, Mao Zedong led troops of the Autumn Harvest Uprising to the Jinggang Mountains; the historic meeting between Zhu De and Mao Zedong took place here in 1928.
Significance: China’s first rural revolutionary base area. It pioneered the correct revolutionary path of **encircling cities from the countryside and seizing power by armed force**, and is known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution.

Ruijin

Design: Site of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic at Yeping
History: In November 1931, the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic convened in Yeping, Ruijin, founding the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic.
Significance: Honoured as the "Red Capital", birthplace of the first nationwide revolutionary political power established by the Communist Party of China.

Zunyi

Design: Site of the Zunyi Conference
History: The Zunyi Conference was held in January 1935.
Significance: At a critical juncture of the Long March, the conference saved the Party, the Red Army and the Chinese revolution. It marked a turning point vital to the survival of the Chinese revolution and established Mao Zedong’s leadership within the Party Central Committee and the Red Army.

Huining

Design: Rendezvous Tower in Huining
History: In October 1936, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Front Armies of the Red Army achieved a victorious rendezvous in Huining, Gansu Province.
Significance: Symbolised the successful conclusion of the 25,000-li Long March.

Yan’an

Design: Pagoda Hill and Yanhe Bridge in Yan’an
History: The CPC Central Committee moved its headquarters to Yan’an in 1937.
Significance: Seat of the CPC Central Committee throughout the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the early stage of the Liberation War, capital of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, a world-famous revolutionary sacred place where the Yan’an Spirit took shape.

Xibaipo

Design: Single-storey buildings at the former site of the CPC Central Committee
History: Headquarters of the Party Central Committee in the later phase of the Liberation War, where the Party commanded the three major campaigns. The Second Plenary Session of the Seventh CPC Central Committee was held here in 1949, putting forward the famous **"Two Musts"**.
Significance: The final rural command post of the CPC before moving to Beiping to seize nationwide state power.

Artistic Style of the Stamp Set

The stamps adopt a combination of wash pen sketch and engraved line drawing. Vertical calligraphy title *Footprints of the Red Revolution* is placed in the upper right corner of each stamp, while a red ribbon stretches across the lower left section, symbolising the revolutionary red banner. Yellowish-brown antique-style borders create a profound sense of history. Arranged sequentially, the six stamps narrate an integrated revolutionary journey. It ranks among the most narrative-driven stamp sets themed on China’s revolutionary sacred sites issued after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Issued shortly before the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, this set is an important philatelic item with revolutionary themes. The selected locations cover the Agrarian Revolutionary War, the Long March, the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Liberation War, forming a clear historical thread. Thanks to the high visual appeal of offset-engraved printing, it remains a highly sought-after set among collectors specialising in red philately.