Hong Kong Post has announced that a set of postage stamps and related philatelic products will be released for sale on October 10 to commemorate the "Centenary of Xinhai Revolution". On the same day, China Post, Hong Kong Post and Macao Post will jointly issue a souvenir pack to commemorate this historic milestone.

The Xinhai Revolution (named for the Chinese year of Xinhai (1911) resulted in the overthrow of China's then-ruling Qing Dynasty, sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, and the establishment of the Republic of China. Also known as the Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, it began with the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911 and ended with the abdication of Emperor Puyi on February 12, 1912.

The set of four commemorative stamps from Hong Kong will use a newspaper layout design with monochrome graphics and headlines in red to highlight the key figures and events of the Xinhai Revolution.

$1.40 - The 72 Martyrs of Huanghuagang
On 27 April 1911, the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) revolted in Guangzhou. The revolutionaries fought bravely against the Qing army. Outnumbered, they were defeated and many lost their lives. Seventy-two of them were buried together at Huanghuagang in Guangzhou. They are known as "the 72 Martyrs of Huanghuagang".

$2.40 - Wuchang Uprising
On 10 October 1911, the revolutionaries staged an uprising in Wuchang. Following a fierce overnight battle, the Governor-General's office was seized and Wuchang fell to the revolutionaries. With news of the victory spreading rapidly to various parts of the country, one uprising followed another. In less than two months, 14 provinces and municipalities declared independence, and the rule of the Qing Dynasty began to collapse. From then on, China moved from an imperial regime to a republican system, starting a new page in history.

$3 - Important Revolutionary Figures
Cai Yuanpei and Zhang Taiyan, leaders of the Guangfuhui (Restoration Society), as well as HuangXing and Song Jiaoren, founders of the Huaxinghui (Society for the Revival of China), were forerunners of the Xinhai Revolution. They were instrumental in bringing about a successful revolutionary cause and their contributions were enormous.

$5 - Dr. Sun Yat-sen Assuming the Office of Provisional President
On 1 January 1912, Dr. Sun Yat-sen was sworn in as Provisional President in Nanjing. In his inaugural declaration, he set out five administrative objectives, with national unity and harmony as the top priority.

The stamp sheetlet, affixed with two $5 stamps, also adopts a newspaper layout design. The stamp on the right gives an account of Dr Sun Yat-sen's election as president of the Tongmenghui and his proclamation in Min Bao (People's Journal) of the Three Principles of the People, namely "Nationalism, Democracy and People's Livelihood". The stamp on the left shows the Central School (present-day Queen's College) in Hong Kong where Dr. Sun was educated in his late teens.

The joint souvenir pack will contain three stamp sheetlets issued by China Post, Hong Kong Post and Macao Post on the same theme, presented in se-tenant style.

This set of Hong Kong commemorative stamps was designed by Clement Yick and printed in lithography by Cartor Security Printing of France.

Official First Day Covers will be put on sale for $1 each at all Hong Kong post offices effective beginning September 26. Meanwhile, stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the Hong Kong General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office on the same day.

Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all Hong Kong philatelic offices from September 26 to October 2. Further information could be obtained from the website of Hongkong Post at www.hongkongpost.com.

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