Scott No: -
Serial number: 2013-T8
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: May 3, 2013
Denomination: 120 fen
Designer: Fang Jun
Size of stamps: 40 * 30 mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 12
Sheet size: 135 * 210 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

At 8:02 AM on April 20, 2013, a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Lushan County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province (latitude 30.3°N, longitude 103.0°E), with a focal depth of 13 kilometers. The epicenter was approximately 100 kilometers from Chengdu, and strong tremors were felt in Chengdu, Chongqing, and as far as Baoji and Hanzhong in Shaanxi. According to the Ya'an Municipal Government Emergency Response Office, over 99% of houses in Longmen Township, Lushan County—the epicenter—collapsed. The local health center and inpatient department ceased operations, and water and power supplies were cut off. By April 24, a total of 4,045 aftershocks had been recorded, including 103 of magnitude 3.0 or above, with the largest reaching 5.4 magnitude. The earthquake affected 1.52 million people across 63 counties and cities, covering an area of 12,500 square kilometers. It claimed 196 lives, left 21 people missing, and injured 11,470 others.

The disaster touched the hearts of people across the nation. Countless volunteers and rescue teams rushed to the affected areas to conduct relief operations, relocate residents, and provide post-disaster assistance. Breaking from the normal stamp issuance procedures, China Post fast-tracked the design, approval, and printing of a special relief stamp, setting a precedent for the rapid release of emergency relief stamps.

On May 3, 2013—just 13 days after the earthquake—China Post officially issued the special stamp "United in Effort, Earthquake Relief" with catalog number Special-8-2013. The set consists of one stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan and a print run of 10 million copies. All postal revenue from the stamp, totaling 12 million yuan, was donated to the earthquake-stricken area, designated for post-disaster reconstruction, residential resettlement, school restoration, and infrastructure repair. This is the fifth public welfare stamp issued by China Post in response to a major disaster, and the eighth special-issue stamp overall. The previous four are: "Disaster Relief" (1991), "Flood Relief" (1998), "United in the Fight Against SARS" (2003), and "Earthquake Relief – United as One" (2008).

The stamp set consists of one stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan. It was designed by Fang Jun, edited by Qin Wei, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. The stamp measures 40×30 mm, with a perforation gauge of 13 degrees. Each sheet contains 12 stamps arranged in a 2×6 grid, with a sheet size of 135×210 mm. The printing process is photogravure with gum on the back. Anti-counterfeiting features include anti-counterfeiting paper, anti-counterfeiting ink, shaped perforations, and fluorescent spray codes. The stamp uses red, black, and white as its primary colors, creating a solemn and symbolic visual impact:

Red hands and heart: Located on the left side of the main image, occupying approximately three-quarters of the space. Two palms interlock to form a heart shape, symbolizing the unity and solidarity of people across the nation, conveying love and warmth, and representing the firm resolve to join forces for earthquake relief.

Black seismic wave and time mark: Located in the lower right corner, the seismic wave motif in gray tones symbolizes the cruel damage inflicted on the lives of the affected population. The black inscription "April 20, 2013, 8:02 AM" captures the precise moment of the disaster, carrying strong commemorative and cautionary significance.

White background: Enhances the visual contrast, creating a striking juxtaposition between the red heart and the black seismic wave, highlighting the theme of "disaster is cruel, but great love knows no bounds."

Sheet border design: The border features countless small hearts converging into one large heart, embodying the spirit of unity, resilience, and compassion under the leadership of the Party Central Committee.

This stamp encapsulates a nation's strength and compassion in the face of disaster within a small space. It serves as both a historical record of a major natural catastrophe and an enduring testament to the national spirit of solidarity in times of crisis. It holds a significant place within China's special-issue stamp series and its disaster-relief themed stamps, establishing a benchmark for future emergency stamp issuances.