XN000022-1996-05-23 — Page 18

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The whole set when placed together features a composite view of the whole of the famed harbour side of Hong Kong Island.

The British and Chinese sides have also agreed on new franking machine dies to replace those currently in use, which display a Crown.

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Stamps and franking machine dies transitional arrangements

The Postmaster General, Mr Robert Footman, welcomed the agreement announced today (Thursday) by the British and Chinese sides of the Joint Liaison Group on the issue by the Hong Kong Post Office of a new set of definitive stamps which will be valid for use before and after July 1, 1997.

The new stamps will be issued in early next year and the current definitive stamps will then be withdrawn from sale at the counters.

"This agreement is good news. It means that postal services can continue uninterrupted, and in a simple way, across the transition," Mr Footman said in a press briefing today.

He said it had been agreed that all Hong Kong postage stamps bearing the Queen's portrait or the Royal Cypher will cease to be valid after June 30, 1997. Arrangements would be made to enable any such unused stamps to be exchanged for stamps in the new definitive series once these are issued.

Mr Footman said it had also been agreed that the existing franks of private franking machines, which display a Crown, would cease to be valid after June 30, 1997.

Franking machine licensees would need to replace the existing dies by the agreed new design, which would be valid for use before and after July 1, 1997, he

said.

The Post Office is liaising with the three companies which supply franking machines to ensure that the new arrangements are implemented smoothly and it will also inform franking machine licensees of the new requirements. The new definitive stamps, comprising a set of 16 denominations from 10 cents to $50, have a neutral design with no connotation of sovereignty.

The whole set when placed together features a continuous stretch of the waterfront of Hong Kong. Thirteen low value stamps in small format depict the day scene while the three highest value stamps in larger format depict the night scene.

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