New issues -
🇫🇯 Fiji Post -
2 October 2024 - 49th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Fiji and The People’s Republic of China - 1 miniature sheet containing 8 different stamps depicting birds of Fiji and China. Lithographed. Rating:- *****. This appears to be another Chinese-sponsored philatelic item to be issued by Fiji Post. There’s no doubt that the Chinese government knows how to use philately as a form of diplomacy. This once more emphasises the small but important role stamps still play in international politics. An attractive and fascinating item.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Post -
1 October 2024 - World Post Day - 1 stamp. Lithographed by Government Printer, Sri Lanka. Rating:- ***.
🇱🇹 Stamperija (Lithuania-based producers and sellers of often dubious philatelic products holding contracts with the postal services of a number of African countries including Sierra Leone and Togo). It must be doubtful as to whether these products are ever sold in post offices in the respective countries.
Stated date of issue - 4 October 2024 - 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) -
🇸🇱 Products inscribed ‘Sierra Leone’ - 1 stamp produced in sheetlets of 8 and 1 miniature sheet containing a single stamp. Rating:- 0.
🇹🇬 Products inscribed ‘Togo’ - 2 stamps (200F value issued in sheetlets of 10 and 500F issued in sheetlets of 8) and 1 miniature sheet containing a single stamp. Rating:- 0.
Similar items were also released on the stated date in the name of other ‘client’ postal services - Burundi, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Liberia.
Makes me wonder why Australia and New Zealand don't produce an issue for the Pacific nations. Perhaps its fears of imperialism?
ReplyDeleteWK replying - I agree. Though China has no fears of being accused of imperialism it seems. The Western and Australasian governments are miles behind the Chinese in understanding the potential soft power of philatelic diplomacy.
DeleteI partly disagree. Many Pacific nations have very close diplomatic ties with Australia and New Zealand. Australia provides 40% of all aid to the Pacific - that's classic hard diplomacy. However, Australia also allows Pacific Island workers to work in our country and they have exactly the same rights as Australian workers (this includes pay). Indeed I was reading an article this morning about how the tuna industry in South Australia relies on workers from Kiribati. These workers send a lot of their pay money home. That's some mighty soft power there which advantages both Australia and the island nations.
DeleteWK replying. Of course you are right, Chris. But stamps are really a very cheap form of soft power and a splendid piece of propaganda. First there is the publicity surrounding the launch of the stamps and then there is their appearance on any mail on which they made be used. The Chinese having been doing this very well for years.
Delete