Ling Fugen chairman of CAF, SU 4285, BFV. Cosmos 809

Space industry in China has gone through a relatively short development since its foundation in 1950s. Accordingly, astrophilately in China tries all the time to record its step. I shall follow the five aspects to give our readers a rough impression.

China Astrophile Federation (CAF) was founded on Dec 1, 1991. As a nationwide organization, CAF is specialized in Astrophilately. It has about 1000 members. Local branches are formed in Shanghai, Xichang, Guangzhou, Lanzhou, Wuhan, Shenyang, Tangshan, Dalian, Nanjing and Changchun.

Here, I should add a few words about China Space Philatelic Association (CSPS) founded by China Aerospace Co.. Besides astrophilately, it has common interests on other subjects. So, exclusively saying, only CAF is an astrophilatelic organization.

CAF has its own periodicals -- Astrophilatelic Friends, coming out every two months, now totaling 43 issues. The No. 1 issue of 1999 introduced the following subjects: the New Year's greeting by Chairman to conclude the last year's work, the latest IRIDIUM satellite launch, a retrospect of the last 20 years astrophilatelic activities, suggestion for issuing China manned space flight, astrophilatelic stationery, the cancellation from YUANWANG ship berth abroad, a list of 1998 issued covers and cards, and also exchange corner, new member address, member market, etc..

Except for that, there are about 20 various astrophilatelic publications in China.

As all of them published in Chinese, it is impossible to establish foreign relations. I once edited an English-speaking periodical which drew so few interest and stopped after 2 issues.

However we are not short of books when looking for help, such as: World space subject stamps, An illustration catalogue of China astrophilatelic items, Space flight and stamps, Catalogue of Europe and Asia space stamps.

Hundreds of research papers appeared on various publications home and abroad. They are proofs of China astrophilately enjoying a fast and healthy growth.

The 1989 national exhibition released for the first time 10 astrophilatelic collections. In Oct. 1992, the first national astrophilatelic show was held in Beijing with 48 collections all together. I won a silver medal at Seoul94 world stamp show with my "China Space History". This is the first time for a Chinese astrophilatelist to participate in a world show.

Conclusively, we have won over 10 medals from local or national shows. China astrophilately has a good start.

China lagged behind in space industry. The early space activities were strictly military secrets. No stamps, no covers and cards were issued to record that early part of space history. We try to make up by using anniversary covers and cards plus some related foreign item.

On Feb 1, 1986, when Xichang Satellite Launch Center launched the experimental communication satellite, the Lianshanzhou post office (located in the launch site) in Sichuan province issued a launch cover. This is the first official cover printed with a space cachet and is warmly received by astrophilatelists.

During the mid-80s, each launch activity would be commemorated with a launch site cancelled cover or card. . Year by year, the variety and issue units are increased. In 1998, there are more than 110 kinds of issued covers and cards. Of course, they enriched our collections.

China became the third country successfully recovering the flown covers with the 16^th recoverable satellite. Four units made five kinds of flown covers (see ASTROPHILE for details).

We seldom find covers made by individual member. In China, usually official departments or different units undertake these issue tasks, such as: China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General, China Aerospace Co., China Academy of Launching Technology, Great Wall Industry co., Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Xi'an Satellite Control Center, China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Control Base, and also local stamp co.. Each time would issue hundred to thousand covers or cards. China has a great population and many people regard space progress as national glory, so these covers and cards are in great need. Be an astrophilatelist or not, many people systematically collect astrophilatelic covers and cards, which pushes the price higher and higher.

China astrophilatelists are showing great interest in establishing foreign relatins. Many of them have already joined in some organizations, subscribed related publications, and been busy trading all the time. Till now, 7 Chinese astrophilatelists are SU members, and some are BFV Cosmos members. Chairman for FIP Astrophilately, Beatrice Bachamann wrote to me several times, helping to improve my collection and introducing astrophilatelic knowledge. And a lot of foreign friends extend their help which really play a great role in our progress.

China astrophilatelists are trying to make their influence by publishing English articles on foreign periodicals. I noted there were at least 7 articles by Chinese appeared on SU ASTROPHILE. In addition, Hong Kong and Singapore often introduce China astrophilately on their philatelic publications.

In recent time, I carried out my homepage on the Internet. Hope it works well and brings great advantage to our friends home and abroad. Happy to know so many friends caring about our business and always giving suitable advice. So best wishes for China astrophilately in the new year.