The first Chinese "World Earth Day" stamp was issued in Beijing Friday by the State Post Bureau (SPB) to encourage the whole society to treasure resources and protect the Earth.

The one-piece set of stamp has a face value of 80 fen (10 cents). Its print features a pair of reaching hands against a white globe surrounded by blue.

Designer Chen Shaohua said that he wished to use the hands to express human beings' respect and appreciation towards Mother Nature.

Vice-Minister Lu Xinshe of the Ministry of Land and Resources which jointly initiated the stamp issue campaign with SPB said he hoped the tiny stamp would raise people's awareness of the Earth's dwindling resources and encourage them to live in harmony with nature.

"With a population of 1.3 billion, China has left a severe impact on the natural environment in its economic and social development. To realize sustained development, the Chinese people must become more aware of the nature, make better use of resources, reduce pollution and improve their production efficiency," he said.

At the issuing ceremony, Vice Chairwoman He Luli of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Minister Sun Wensheng of the Ministry of Land and Resources presented the stamp and its commemorative cover to children of the Experiment Primary School of the Beijing Normal University.

These children made a proposal earlier this year calling on all Chinese children to protect the Earth. Premier Wen Jiabao was said to have responded, calling their proposal "valuable and meaningful."

The World Earth Day began April 22, 1970 through the efforts of Harvard student Denis Hayes. Twenty years later, former Chinese Premier Li Peng made a TV speech on behalf of the Chinese government, supporting the campaign of the "World Earth Day" approved by the United Nations. Since then, China has celebrated the special date annually.

The theme of this year's commemorative activities in China is "Take good care of the Earth by seeking scientific development and establishing harmony."

Source: Xinhua