ENG-2004 — Page 476

410 Communications, the Media and Information Technology

This was the first time coins and banknotes were featured at a Stamp Expo in Hong Kong. Rare historical exhibits from the China National Postage Stamp Museum, Hong Kong Museum of History, China National Philatelic Corporation and leading philatelists were displayed in the Court of Honour.

Innovative Special Stamp Issues

Hong Kong stamps are recognised worldwide for their world-beating artistry and innovative design. During the year, 10 sets of special stamps reflecting a variety of cultural, nostalgic and contemporary themes were issued: Year of the Monkey; Hong Kong, China

New Zealand Joint Issue on Rugby Sevens; Children Stamps - My Favourite Toys and Games; Centenary of Hong Kong Trams; The People's Liberation Army Forces, Hong Kong; Sports; Centenary of the Birth of Deng Xiaoping; Hong Kong Currency; Development of the Pearl River Delta Region; and Fungi.

To commemorate the 2004 Olympic Games, Hongkong Post issued a special stamp sheetlet in August. And to celebrate the achievement of the Hong Kong silver medal winners in the Men's Table Tennis Doubles, it issued a special commemorative stamp pane in October.

e-Cert Embedded in Smart Identity Card

As Hong Kong's first recognised Certification Authority under the Electronic Transaction Ordinance, Hongkong Post issues digital certificates and helps prime the pump of electronic commerce in line with the Government's Digital 21 Strategy to maintain Hong Kong's position as one of the world's leading digital cities. Hongkong Post took the unprecedented opportunity of the territory-wide smart identity card replacement exercise to kick off a high-profile campaign offering Hong Kong residents the option of embedding an e-Cert in their smart identity card free of charge for the first year. This creates a convenient means for users to conduct secure online activities, helping to build a critical mass of e-Cert users in Hong Kong.

Supporting the New Era of Online Shopping

Hongkong Post Logistics Services is a business on the move, gaining more momentum and getting more creative every year. In January, Hongkong Post and China Post teamed up to provide the Hong Kong/Mainland Gift Fulfillment Service, offering users new convenience in sending gifts to over 2 000 cities in the Mainland. Initial products included Lunar New Year gifts such as bouquets, cakes, flower baskets and fruit baskets. This list was expanded in August to include orders for mooncake gift sets for Hong Kong people or companies to send seasonal greetings to their business partners, relatives and friends in the Mainland.

In December, Hongkong Post collaborated with an Internet portal and online shopping platform provider to offer online merchants the payment collection and delivery solutions of Hongkong Post Logistics Services. This service is designed to meet the specific needs of Hong Kong SMEs that require a one-stop solution for operating an Internet Shop.

In the same month, Hongkong Post launched its own ShopThruPost Internet platform, providing a user-friendly online shopping experience for customers to