Known as “national business cards” and “miniature encyclopedias”, stamps are unique vehicles for the history, culture and national spirit of a country. As a grand event for cultural exchanges in Asia, the Asian International Stamp Exhibition boasts the features of a long history, wide influence, fierce competition and rich content, and is recognized as one of the most influential international philatelic events and one of the most influential international cultural exchange events in the field of cultural collection. It is therefore known as the “Asian Games” in philatelic circles.

From November 29 to December 3, 2024, China 2024 Asian International Stamp Exhibition (CHINA 2024) was held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. It was a large international philatelic cultural exchange event, aiming to deeply implement the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, actively satisfy the common needs of the international community to enhance inter-civilization dialogue and communication and promote cultural prosperity and development, constantly extend the reach and appeal of Chinese civilization, and promote multilateral exchanges and cooperation.

CHINA 2024 was hosted by the State Post Bureau and co-organized by Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, Shanghai Jing’an District People’s Government, China Post Group Corporation Limited (China Post) and All-China Philatelic Federation (ACPF). Lasting for five days, it attracted delegates from 69 countries and regions to participate in the exhibition and sales activities. And it displayed more than 1,600 frames of competitive exhibits and 48 volumes of philatelic literature, setting a new record for the Asian International Stamp Exhibition. CHINA 2024 established a new competitive class, the First Day Cover (FDC) class, thus including FDCs which are popular among philatelists as an exhibition class for the first time. The overall exhibition consisted of five theme days: Opening Day, Shanghai Culture Day, Youth Day, Palmares Day and FIAP Day, as well as over 20 rich and diverse philatelic cultural activities like the UNPA (United Nations Postal Administration) special product launch for CHINA 2024 and the International Philately Seminar, demonstrating the thriving philatelic culture in Asia. CHINA 2024 featured two highlights: the thematic show for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the rare stamp show. The former showcased the historic changes and brilliant achievements the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country had made in different sectors since the founding of the PRC 75 years ago, especially after the 18th CPC National Congress. The latter displayed 28 sets of rare stamps including the Memorial Archway inverted stamps and Large Dragon stamps, and therefore became the largest stamp show with the largest number of unique items exhibited by China National Post and Postage Stamp Museum in recent years. The 19th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Competition Class and the International Philatelic Seminar were also held during the exhibition. On November 29, the day when CHINA 2024 kicked off, China Post issued a set of four commemorative stamps and a souvenir sheet in honor of the exhibition.

On the evening of December 2, CHINA 2024 held an award ceremony, the Palmares Night. A total of 21 Large Gold medals and 40 Gold medals were produced in the exhibition. 24 Chinese exhibits were on the list, and seven of them won the Large Gold medals, including “The 1897 Red Revenue Surcharges of China” presented by Ding Jinsong winning a Large Gold medal in Championship Class, “The First Chinese Issue - Customs Large Dragon Stamps (1878-1885)” by Sun Jiangtao a Large Gold medal and special prize in Traditional Philately Class, “Postage Stamps of Chinese Central South Liberated Area (1948.9–1950.8)” by Fu Jiaju also a Large Gold medal in Traditional Philately Class, “New Zealand Postal Stationery — Pre KGVI Head Design” by Li Zhifei a Large Gold medal in Postal Stationery Class, The Red Revenue Surcharges of China, 1897 by Ding Jinsong a Large Gold medal and special prize in Literature Class, The Newly Compiled Philatelic Dictionary of China by ACPF a Large Gold medal in Literature Class, and The Provenance of Red Revenue Small One Dollars by Zhang Lanqing a Large Gold medal in Literature Class.

CHINA 2024 brought together a large number of outstanding philatelic works representing the highest level in Asia, and also held more than 20 themed philatelic cultural activities, such as conferences of international philatelic organizations, training, academic exchanges on philately, promotion of Shanghai culture, youth philately, and special service for 2024 Shanghai Marathon runners. Philatelists from all over the world, with philately as a medium, conducted in-depth online and offline exchanges on the theme “Stamps Present Asian Culture”. They learned from each other, reinforced their understanding and friendship, and jointly envisioned the bright future of philately in Asia.

The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP). CHINA 2024 witnessed the 50-year vigorous development of philately in Asia, and promoted the exchanges and mutual learning of philatelic culture among Asian countries and regions. FIAP commissioners and jurors as well as delegates from the State Post Bureau, China Post, ACPF, Hongkong Post, Macao Post, Telegraph and Telephones Bureau (CTT), UPU, the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) and FIAP Grand Prix Club attended the Palmares Night.

In addition, a flag handover ceremony was held at the Palmares Night. A representative of the CHINA 2024 Organizing Committee handed over the FIAP flag to a representative of the Organizing Committee of the Thailand 2025 Asian International Stamp Exhibition.