The Hong Kong Post Office issues new stamps and First Day Covers about eight times each year, usually to commemorate a special occasion or anniversary.

These dates are announced in the post offices about two weeks in advance, and on the day of issue there are likely to be very long queues of people outside waiting to buy first day issues.

Founding of the Post Office in the British Colony of Hong Kong

Following the establishment of the British colony of Hong Kong in 1841 the Post Office was founded in August of that year, but it was not until 8 December 1862 that the first postage stamps were issued. The design featured a portrait of Queen Victoria.

Four changes of British monarchy since then have seen stamps issued with King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and lastly, Queen Elizabeth II. Definitive issues were produced several times during each reign.

China Began Issuing Stamps in Late 19th Century

China began producing her own stamps in the late 19th century. The first stamps were issued during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor in 1878 when China joined the Postal Union. The designs on these stamps featured the dragon, emblems of imperial power and wisdom, and so became known colloquially as Large Dragons.

When the Treaty Ports were established from the middle of the 19th century, Hong Kong stamps were used but were stamped with the postmark of the respective Treaty Port.

When the Qing dynasty ended in 1911, the Republic of China continued to issue stamps, but the country was not unified under one administration. Stamps commemorating liberated areas established by the revolutionary forces led by Mao Zedong were issued from 1930 to 1949.

Stamps Issued From the 20th Century in China and Hong Kong

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 the issue of postage stamps was brought back under the central control of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Revolutionary themes were strong particularly during the 1960s and 70s during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).

Stamps today commemorate the anniversaries of famous people, scenic spots, and special hobbies and interests, and especially the Lunar New Year and the twelve different animals of the zodiac in sequence. The Hong Kong Post Office this year produced First Day Covers and sets of stamps commemorating the year of the tiger.

To learn more get a copy of Yang's Postage Stamps and Postal History Catalogue of Hong Kong which is published almost every year, as well as Yang's Postage Stamp Catalogue of The People's Republic of China.