Scott No: -
Serial number: 2012-27
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: October 26, 2012
Denomination: 390 fen
Designer: Shao Lichen
Size of stamps: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
12 for Sheet I;
6 for Sheet II (2 Sets)
190 * 190 mm for Sheet I;
180 * 116 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Liaoning Provincal Shenyang Postage Stamp Printing Works

On October 26, 2012, the special stamp set "China Merchants Group" (catalog number 2012-27) was officially issued to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the founding of China Merchants Group and to showcase the development journey of this national enterprise spanning three centuries. The set consists of three stamps with face values of 1.20 yuan, 1.20 yuan, and 1.50 yuan respectively, totaling 3.90 yuan. The stamps were designed by Shao Lichen and printed by Shenyang Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory in Liaoning Province using the offset printing process.

The three stamps follow a chronological narrative: founding in the late Qing Dynasty, pioneering during the reform and opening-up era, and development in the new era. They trace the 140-year trajectory of China Merchants Group through the themes "Pioneering on the Huangpu River – Development of Shekou – Creating New Glory," presenting the Group's evolution from a modern shipping pioneer in the late Qing period to a forerunner of reform and opening-up, and finally to a modern integrated enterprise group, bearing witness to China's modern economic development.

Pioneering on the Huangpu River

Image: Features the "Yidun," the first merchant steamship of China Merchants Group, with the former site of China Merchants at No. 9 on the Bund in Shanghai as the background, and the seal of "General Office of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company" in the upper left corner.
History: In 1872, Li Hongzhang memorialized the throne to establish the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, born on the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai as a core enterprise of the Westernization Movement. It formed China's first modern commercial fleet, breaking the foreign monopoly on shipping.
Significance: China's first modern shipping enterprise under official supervision and merchant management, marking the starting point of modern national industry and commerce.

Development of Shekou

Image: Features the urban architecture of the Shekou Industrial Zone, with the iconic slogan "Time is Money, Efficiency is Life" in the upper left corner, elements of Shekou Port in the background, and a China Merchants historical seal in the lower right corner.
History: In 1978, China Merchants Group established the Shekou Industrial Zone, the first industrial zone in mainland China to open to the outside world, marking the beginning of reform and opening-up exploration. It also gave rise to well-known enterprises such as China Merchants Bank and Ping An Insurance.
Significance: A testing ground for reform and opening-up, and an important milestone in China's opening to the outside world.

Creating New Glory

Image: Features the Hong Kong headquarters building of China Merchants Group, integrating elements such as the former site of the Chinese Mercantile Bank, the China Merchants Bank Tower, the "Golden Sunflower" emblem, and early share subscription documents.
History: In the new era, China Merchants Group has diversified into integrated transportation, finance, and urban development, with a presence in Hong Kong and deep roots in the mainland, growing into a large multinational enterprise group.
Significance: Reflects the Group's modern, globalized, and diversified development pattern.

Artistic and Design Features

Unified Visual Symbols: The bottom of all three stamps features wave patterns, symbolizing shipping and the pioneering spirit of braving the waves. The top of each stamp features the "China Merchants Group" plaque, creating a strong sense of series cohesion.

Color-Coded Narrative: The first stamp uses warm yellow tones to convey the historical weight of the late Qing Dynasty; the second uses blue-purple tones to highlight the vitality of reform and innovation; the third uses red and gold to symbolize prosperity and development.

Integration of Text and Image: Incorporates official seals from various periods, iconic slogans, and historical buildings, conveying the enterprise's development with rich historical elements.

Structured Composition: The design is orderly and stable, with borders that resemble the frame of a historical scroll, balancing documentary realism with decorative aesthetics.

This stamp set is the first special issue by China Post to fully present the century-long journey of China Merchants Group. Spanning the Westernization Movement, reform and opening-up, and contemporary economic development, it holds collectible value for topics related to modern history, shipping history, and reform and opening-up. With a clear timeline and rich historical elements, it is suitable for thematic collections on industrial and commercial enterprises, modern shipping, and reform and opening-up. A miniature sheet was also issued concurrently, making it a representative philatelic item for economic history-themed collections.