Scott No: -
Serial number: 2016-8
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: April 23, 2016
Denomination: 120 fen
Designer: Song Jian
Size of stamps: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I;
10 for Sheet II
Sheet Size:
150 * 240 mm for sheet I;
150 * 190 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Liaoning Provinal Shenyang Post Printing Works

"Nationwide Reading" is a special stamp issued by China Post on April 23, 2016, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the central government's advocacy and promotion of nationwide reading and to mark World Book and Copyright Day, with the issue number 2016-8.

April 23 is World Book and Copyright Day. In his 2015 Government Work Report, Premier Li Keqiang proposed to "advocate nationwide reading and build a scholarly society." This was the first time that the phrase "building a scholarly society" was included in a Government Work Report. This proposal not only elevated the importance of "nationwide reading" to a new level but also enriched the cultural foundation for political, economic, and social development during the period of comprehensively deepening reform. 2016 also marked the 10th anniversary of the central government's advocacy and launch of the nationwide reading campaign. Over the past decade, the campaign has continued to gain momentum, exerting an increasingly profound impact on society. Various reading activities have flourished, and reading has gradually become a social fashion.

Designed by Song Jian, this set of stamps features an innovative concept, rich connotations, and a strong sense of the times in its imagery. The special printing techniques employed have greatly enhanced the stamps' appeal and readability. At the center of the stamp is a standing, open book; on the left side of the book, a door leading to knowledge is opened, while on the other side is an open window. In the middle of the stamp, a group of upward - extending lines that spread in all directions form an abstract tree - like pattern. On the left side of the book, some content from The Three - Character Classic is micro - printed around a staircase. The stamp is printed with the four - character Braille for "Nationwide Reading," embodying the concept of "barrier - free reading for all, no one left behind." Under ultraviolet light, the light from a night reading session can be seen shining through the open window. On the second format of the stamp, there is a QR code for "Pocket National Library · National Digital Library." By scanning this code with a mobile phone, people can experience the fun and convenience brought by digital reading.

The "Nationwide Reading" special stamp showcases the various benefits that reading brings to people. The ascending staircase and the open window on the stamp respectively illustrate the famous quotes about books by Gorky and Wilson: "Books are the ladder of human progress" and "A room without books is like a body without a soul." The branches in the middle of the stamp are covered with fruits representing different disciplines such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, literature, art, and law. This is the second set of touchable Braille stamps issued by China Post after the stamps for the "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games".