Scott No: -
Serial number: 2021-27
Values in set: 5
Date of issue: November 24, 2021
Denomination: 600 fen
Designer: Du Yukai
Size of stamps: 40 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
Sheet Size: 160 * 170 mm
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Henan Provincal Post Printing Works

China Post scheduled the issuance of a set of commemorative stamps titled "Scientific and Technological Innovation (III)" on November 24, 2021. The set contains 5 stamps, with a total face value of 6.60 yuan and a planned circulation of 7 million sets.

Technology empowers development, and innovation determines the future. Since the "13th Five-Year Plan" period (2016-2020), China has further implemented the innovation-driven development strategy and achieved a series of major outcomes in scientific and technological innovation. The "Scientific and Technological Innovation (III)" stamp set showcases five important achievements made by China in the past two years:

Chang'e-5 Lunar Mission

"Striver" Deep-Sea Manned Submersible

Uncovering the Mystery of Locust Swarming and Infestations

HPR1000 (Hualong One) Nuclear Power Technology

Ancient DNA Revealing the Migration Dynamics and Ethnic Origins of Prehistoric Populations in China

The stamp set was designed by Du Yukai. Following the style of the previous two installments in the series, it adopts modern hand-painted illustration techniques, featuring bright and vivid colors as well as a fresh and natural visual effect.

Stamp 1 focuses on the working scene of the Chang'e-5 lunar probe during its first unmanned lunar sample collection mission, which marked the conclusion of the third phase of China's lunar exploration program.

Stamp 2 presents the "Striver" deep-sea manned submersible—China's first key equipment capable of carrying humans to access global marine areas. It also ranks among the world's top manned submersibles of the same type in terms of crew capacity, underwater operation duration, and operational capability.

Stamp 3, themed "Uncovering the Mystery of Locust Swarming and Infestations," uses scenes of locust gatherings and the chemical formula of 4VA to demonstrate the major entomological breakthrough: the compound 4-vinylanisole (4VA) is identified as the locust aggregation pheromone. This research enables the green and sustainable prevention and control of locusts.

Stamp 4 takes "Hualong One" as the main image, supplemented by symbols such as energy formulas and nuclear fission diagrams. It showcases China's innovative achievement in the third-generation pressurized water reactor nuclear power technology with fully independent intellectual property rights—a milestone indicating that China's nuclear power technology and comprehensive strength have entered the world's first echelon.

Stamp 5 uses elements like the contrast between ancient and modern times, DNA strands, and ancient strata to vividly convey the theme of "Ancient DNA Revealing the Migration Dynamics and Ethnic Origins of Prehistoric Populations in China." This achievement fills important gaps in information about the genetics, evolution, and adaptation of prehistoric humans in East Asia, especially in China.

The stamp set was printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Technology Co., Ltd. using offset printing, supplemented by processes such as hot stamping, full-color printing, and magnetochromism. These techniques not only highlight the "scientific and technological feel" of the stamps but also enhance their ornamental value, and interactivity.

Stamp 1 applies the magnetochromic process to stamps for the first time. With the help of a magnetic object, users can observe mysterious patterns of the distant universe; under ultraviolet light, they can enjoy an immersive view of the lunar surface environment and the liftoff of the lunar probe.

Stamp 2 uses cold stamping to present the metallic texture of the "Striver" submersible in 3D. Under ultraviolet light, the full-color printing process reproduces the scene of the submersible diving to a depth of 10,000 meters.

Stamp 3 adopts cold stamping to highlight elements like chemical formulas, uses special techniques to emphasize the tactile feel of locusts, and employs full-color printing to make the image more vivid under ultraviolet light.

Stamp 4 combines cold stamping with colorless blue fluorescent ink to simulate the nuclear reaction process, underscoring the advanced nature, safety, and reliability of Hualong One.

For Stamp 5, cold stamping allows viewers to see the infinitely extending double-helix structure when viewing from a side angle, illustrating the dynamics of population migration. Under ultraviolet light, the green double-helix structure appears more rich and three-dimensional.