Philately issues

China’s postal market began spontaneously in the early 1980s with the formation of a “road market” focusing on mutual exchange.

After the reform and opening up, my country's philatelic industry has undergone great changes, and the biggest change is the marketization of stamps. In the early days of the birth of the philatelic market, the majority of stamp collectors applauded, indicating that the spring of China's philatelic industry has arrived. The postal market has developed from being mainly about mutual exchange to being mainly about investment. It has gone through ups and downs over the past 20 years. (Including three periods of "blowout" postage prices in 1985, 1991, and 1997, three periods of normal postage price stability in 1983-84, 1988-89, and 1995-95, and also including 86-87, The three postage price downturns (from 1992 to 1995 and from 1997 to 2002) formed a pattern of three rises, three falls, and three stability.

Today, when we look at the postal market, we can no longer see the stamp collectors who frequented the postal market. All we hear are the complaints and dissatisfaction of stamp collectors against the postal market. The reason is that over the years, China's market launch has never been able to create a market that can bring credibility to the philatelic world and serve the majority of philatelists. In the past ten years, the issuance of new stamps has been very disordered. The proportion of high-face value stamps has remained high. The issuance of new stamps has been discounted every year. Stamp products have been over-developed and flooded. Various irregularities have emerged in an endless stream. Market confidence has disappeared. Posters are complaining. The market It's so depressed that it's terrible to look at. Philately has completely separated itself from the market, its development path has become narrower and narrower, it is increasingly out of step with the development of the entire society, and it has reached a dead end. Everyone thinks this is the result of postal speculation. However, the author believes that this is the inevitable result of the deep-seated various factors of China Post. It needs to be explored and studied by people in the philatelic community. A brief analysis is as follows:

1. Large and small stamp circulation relationship

Since the establishment of the All-China Philatelic Federation in January 1982, the first national congress was held in August of the same year. Philately resumed and the philatelic market began to prosper. Due to the issuance of 5 million T46 "Monkey" Affected by the soaring market price of stamps, a full "Monkey" stamp with a face value of 0.08 yuan has risen from 6.4 yuan to 24,000 yuan (currently 120,000 yuan), which has greatly increased the popularity of the postal market. When the market was promising, stamp dealers, investors, and stamp collectors increased rapidly, which caused the stamp market to heat up rapidly from the end of 1984 to the beginning of 1985 until the stamp price "blowout" (at that time, the normal circulation volume of mini-sheets before 1985 was 10- 2.5 million). On May 24, 1985, the situation suddenly changed. Panda souvenir sheets were issued in huge quantities (12,668,300 pieces). Although the overheating situation in the postal market was controlled, the postal market at that time fell rapidly and cooled down. The discount quilt situation began, and China Post’s first climax Finish. Since then, China Post has relied on the magic weapon of commemorating stamp circulation to intervene in the market, and has tried and failed, and the Chinese philatelic market has since fallen into abnormal development.

In order to reverse the decline of the stamp market, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications restored the circulation of souvenir sheets to an average of 4-5 million between 1986 and the end of 1988, and the philatelic market gradually returned to stability. Then the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications increased the circulation volume again to 7-13.1 million from 1989 to 1991 (at that time, the stamp circulation was announced once a year) in order to activate the market, the circulation volume of the Red Buddha souvenir sheet was only 1.3 million pieces. and "Pang Pang" mini-sheets with a circulation of 1.828 million appeared one after another. Starting from June 1991, with a large amount of OTC funds pouring into the market, the large-scale hype generated caused the postal market to quickly enter a crazy state. The second market price "blowout" broke out. A few cents worth of envelopes and tablets have increased at a crazy speed, creating an astonishing value-added multiple of 10 to 20 times. At that time, the postal market was overcrowded, postage prices jumped three times a day, and postal speculation swept the country. After that, they relied on huge circulation to suppress the market boom, brought the postal market to the brink of collapse, and almost ruined the Chinese postal market. (The disaster relief stamps were issued on September 14, 1991, with a circulation of 40 million sets, causing the postal market to crash and once again fall below the face value. Subsequently, the circulation of mini-sheets from 1992 to 1995 expanded to 3000-4000 in the first half of March. Between 10,000 coins and 10,000 coins, the postal market is on the verge of collapse.

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Beginning in 1995, in order to seek market opportunities again, postal enterprises successively issued World Table Tennis Small Tensors (5.1136 million pieces) and Toothless Osmanthus Small Tensors (56.7 pieces) from August 1995 to May 1996. 10,000 pieces), toothless empty tripod small sheets (5.456 million pieces), and at the same time reduced the average circulation of normal small sheets from 30 million to 40 million pieces to between 16 and 18 million pieces, creating a record of 197 by the end of December 1996. The third postal market "blowout" occurred in July this year. Postage prices are rising every time, and funds are increasing every time. With the pursuit of huge amounts of money, all kinds of stamp products have skyrocketed like wild horses, and transactions in the postal market have become large-scale. Transaction volumes of hundreds of thousands to millions can be seen everywhere, and the funds in the market have reached hundreds of billions. In July 1997, when Hong Kong returned to China, the gold-foil souvenir sheet with a face value of NT$50 was once sold at a high price of NT$500. The gold foil souvenir sheet announced a circulation of 20 million pieces, and the Hong Kong handover souvenir sheet announced a circulation volume of 57.71 million. The postal market has since entered a discount quilt situation. The postal market has been crazy for half a year and then turned cold again.

From 1998 to 1999, China's postal enterprises began to make adjustments again, and the average circulation of souvenir sheets was between 24 and 32 million.

In 2000, the number of souvenir sheets began to decrease again, with the circulation ranging from 17.19 million to 21.45 million.

In 2001, the volume of souvenir sheets was reduced, with a circulation between 14.5 and 17 million.

The circulation of souvenir sheets in the first half of 2002 was 12.9 million.

From 2001 to 2002, some low-volume varieties were also released. (Reasons for not activating the market well: ⑴ Since the small-volume varieties issued in the past two years are basically small booklets and small editions, for stamp collectors, there are many enthusiasts who do not collect the small book series; ⑵ Small editions Each pre-ordered stamp comes with a small set, which does not necessarily require a small edition; ⑶ There is no space for a small edition in the annual album; ⑷ The small edition is large and the market is not smooth, resulting in a high-volume and low-volume stamp market. The market has been in a downturn. I think that small-volume products should be focused on "small sheets" and "small complete sheets". "Small sheets and small editions" cannot drive the overall market, but invisibly increase the number of package tickets. Circulation volume. )

On May 16, 2002, 3 million "World Cup Soccer" souvenir sheets were issued, which shows that the upper management once again had a clear mind and found the goal of stimulating the legal market. But what is the scientific basis for deciding how many stamps are issued, postal management? Or does the postal company need it? Not a market? It is necessary to understand the importance of scientifically measuring the size of stamp circulation from the ups and downs of the market in the 20s. We must proceed from the overall situation of the healthy development of China's postal market, correctly handle the relationship between large and small stamp circulation, and let stamp issuance gradually change from randomness to randomness. , blindness, and speculation have changed to a scientific, standardized, and legalized direction. It is hoped that the upper management with many years of operational experience will completely change the postal market's abnormal market development track of "sometimes in the doldrums, but once in prosperity". However, this issuance of "World Cup Soccer" souvenir sheet is jointly issued by mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. However, the mainland postal sales channels are not standardized and the sales prices are unreasonable, causing the market, investors and fans to lose confidence. Postal Service Enterprises mainly focus on making money, and each province promotes it in the form of "package", that is, "matching" method. Its face value is RMB 2.8, Australian dollar 3.5, which is equivalent to less than RMB 10, plus a small discount of 20 yuan. Matched with other stamp products. The so-called "package" sales were rejected by the market, resulting in a sharp drop in prices, making it impossible for "package" sales to proceed. Is this standard?

2. Stamp price increases, bank interest rate cuts and Relationship with the postal market:

In the 1980s, China came back from the dead and rose with alarming speed and intensity. The China Stamp Corporation raised stamp prices 14 times from 1979 to 1997 as needed. , the substantial appreciation of stamps in New China, price adjustments are made frequently, on average once a year. The purpose is to protect the interests of stamp collectors, put more stamps in stock on the market, and meet the needs of stamp collectors, especially new stamp collectors, according to the market. The selling price is determined by the law of supply and demand. The former Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications stipulates that one year after the issuance of stamps, the price can be adjusted according to changes in market supply and demand. Price adjustment is a routine task in philatelic management. After the price adjustment, the state-owned company will unify the selling price, and market operators will also Basically refer to the price adjustment stamp price.

Reflecting the objective law of market supply and demand, people not only see the cultural significance of philately, but also open up everyone's awareness of value-added financial savings. Because stamps in the philatelic field have been separated from their face value, the selling price is determined according to the law of supply and demand, that is, Prices can be adjusted according to changes in market supply and demand. Each increase in postage prices happens to be in the context of the People's Bank of China lowering interest rates. Therefore, raising postage prices often becomes the trigger for postal market boom. If postage prices had not been raised, the market craze for lowering interest rates might not have started. The purpose of banks lowering interest rates is to enable residents to use their savings to purchase goods and to alleviate the contradiction between weak business and increasing inventory of goods. This coincides with the policy of reducing stamp issuance, with small quantities and prominent varieties, resulting in a Another postage price "blowout".

The China Stamp Corporation has raised postage prices and the People's Bank of China has lowered the savings interest rate, resulting in a reduction in stamp issuance. This one is up, one is down, and one is small, which just forms a pointer. The direction of the arrow is the postal market. This Anyone with basic knowledge of arithmetic can calculate it. The value of money saved by buying stamps appreciates faster than depositing it in the bank. Thousands of Chinese people have invested their savings in stamp trading, and it has become the fastest growing financial market in China. . Over the past two decades, as inflation has far exceeded bank interest rates, people have been eager to find other ways to invest, and stamps have become the best choice, resulting in a boom in the postal market and a "blowout" in postage prices.

However, after the state-owned philatelic companies were opened to business in 1992, local companies directly competed in the market, forming an irregular business system. State-owned companies competed with each other for sales, and state-owned companies competed with postal dealers. There is no need to sell at a unified price based on the increased postage price. Each company sells prices at various prices and is full of loopholes. Each company works on its own and engages in price wars. Nowadays, the trading methods of state-owned enterprises are out of control, resulting in the trend of discounts in the postal market. end. There has been no increase in postage prices in five years, and the postal market has been in a slump. It has been declining and no one cares about it. So far, no big company has come out to stabilize postage prices and develop selling price catalogs and acquisition catalogs to ensure the interests of investors, philatelists, and stamp dealers. During this period, from October 23, 1997 to February 21, 2002, bank interest rates were lowered seven times in a row, from 4.14% in 1997 to 1.71% in 2002. The postal market brought fresh blood.

3. The philatelic market potential still exists

Over the past 20 years of reform, China's market economy has made a nationwide leap forward. Commodities enter the market out of the integrated planned economy model and circulate freely according to social needs. Joining the WTO is a new issue facing China's socialist business community. Although we have more than 20 years of experience and lessons in economic system reform, and although we can learn from the experience of all developing countries in developing China's market economy, there is still a way to explore in practice for the healthy development of China's market economy. The process is a gradual one.

Chinese people hold 6 trillion yuan in cash and savings deposits. These capitals have two characteristics: one is seeking to add value; the other is seeking to preserve value. At present, the public places where China can accept this capital are banks, the stock market, and financial management. However, as bank interest rates are currently lowered, stocks are risky, and residents are more eager to seek ways to preserve and increase value. Although the real estate market has great potential, residents still rely on mortgage loans to purchase houses and are unwilling to invest capital, so they have invested heavily recently. Although industrial companies add value. But the masses have no fate. The postal market crazes of 1985, 1991, and 1997 shocked Chinese residents again and again. Over the past 20 years, most of the people who have been shocked are working-class people who are now middle-aged and relatively cautious in investing. As long as the country does not take special measures, stamp collectors and residents will still have great interest in philatelic investment. After all, it is a product of the country. "National business card" will continue to be standardized in the postal market in the future. Therefore, people looking for value preservation and value-added investment intentions are still looking at stamps. Judging from the 20 years of development of the philatelic industry, China's philatelic industry has developed a large number of elderly, middle-aged, young and women in the working class. If the appreciation of stamps can continue to maintain the level of bank interest rates, the number of stamp collectors will continue to increase. Under the influence of three stamp market trends, problems in the stamp market have been exposed. What is more needed now is the attention of relevant authorities. The public is waiting to see where the Chinese postal market will go. The Chinese postal market is at a critical historical crossroads.

4. Problems in China’s philatelic business

At present, China has officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), which marks that an open China has achieved unprecedented development, and the Chinese economy will be fully In line with the international economy, the Chinese nation is facing new opportunities and challenges that are increasingly intensified under the trend of global economic integration. Today, when traditional culture and concepts are facing unprecedented challenges, how to seize historical opportunities and meet challenges is a very realistic issue facing all Chinese people. problem. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said that "development is the last word." Only development can seize historical opportunities and resolve various contradictions. Only development can achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the 21st century.

How to regulate the postal market has become the latest issue facing China's philatelic community. "Stamps are the business card of the country and the investment market for Chinese people. They are worth studying." They are worth paying attention to. However, in order to regulate the postal market and carry out standardized operations, the first thing to do is to act in strict accordance with the law. Laws must be followed, law enforcement must be strict, and violations must be punished. Senior management must regulate the postal market in accordance with the law. Only by using correct policies can the city develop and prosper and participate in the international competitive market. challenge.

There is a tradition of serving the country and the people in our country’s corporate culture. Although Chinese philatelic enterprises have also put forward the slogans of "supporting postal services for the people, providing value-added services" and "cultivating the market", many problems existing in the current postal enterprises are contrary to this. Illegal behavior and short-term behavior often occur, philatelic resources are overly open, and stamp products are issued too much. Investment in the philatelic market lacks rules and order. Some postal dealers are unscrupulous and do whatever they can to make money through speculation. Both philatelic companies and postal dealers lack the cultivation of the philatelic market. The key is that postal enterprises' philatelic business should vigorously carry out special management system reforms. The separation of government and enterprise is the key for the postal service to regulate the philatelic market. Everyone always thinks that some philatelic companies violated the regulations because they put a large number of stamps on the market just to complete the task indicators. But China Postal Enterprise has never changed its business model; it got off to a good start in the first quarter, passed half of the Confucian mission in the second quarter, worked hard for ninety days in the third quarter, and sprinted forward in the fourth quarter. The economic benefits obtained through the use of administrative systems require balanced development. Some post offices (philatelic companies have no authority) may sell a large number of low-denomination postage vouchers regardless of local processing costs to obtain disposable stamp revenue, which has brought great damage to my country's philatelic industry. Therefore, the operating system and marketing strategies have A radical transformation is required. Of course the market changes quarterly and revenue develops. If the Chinese brand company "Haier" must sell a larger number of air conditioners in winter, it would be strange if it doesn't cut prices much. Why "Haier" has become a Chinese brand is a "promotion method" and "unified price" worthy of China Post's study and research. Philately also needs to strive to create a brand

5. China's philately should enter market-oriented management and eliminate illegal activities

1. Establish a postage management system. According to the current postal operation method, each post office will obtain stamp revenue from the sale of postage vouchers from the postage stamp product management company-Provincial Postal Administration Postage Voucher Management Departments - prefecture and city post offices - county and township post offices, stamp revenue will be turned over uniformly. The problem of low face value can be fundamentally eliminated.

2. On the basis of the current philatelic company, build China Philatelic Corporation - Provincial Philatelic Company - Municipal Philatelic Branch - County and Township Philatelic Subsidiary or Sales Department, human, financial and material An independent philatelic professional management system conducts commodity markets and forms a unified commodity unit price.

3. State-owned philatelic companies operate newly issued stamps, which means that stamps have entered the commodity field and must be purchased from the postal system in full.

4. Since philatelic companies are the largest buyers of Jite stamps, it can be said that philatelic companies are in a buyer's monopoly to a certain extent. It has the right to make opinions on the issuance of special stamps based on its own operating conditions. Therefore, state-owned philatelic enterprises can obtain monopoly profits due to their control over the circulation of special stamps, making the Postal Service the largest shareholder of philatelic enterprises.

5. Philatelic companies can also be listed on the stock market and operate in the stock market. (The philatelic business is a subsidiary value-added business of the postal service. It is due to the fact that the postal department is a postal incubator, and the hatched chicks (stamps) are handed over to the philatelic company for sale.) The philatelic company violates the regulations on the postal department’s issuance of new stamps, etc., which is detrimental to the market. Return the purchase and destroy it immediately. Restrict and monitor the short-term behavior of China's largest philatelic companies and philatelic enterprises in the interest of long-term interests and credibility.

6. China’s philately should take a professional path and develop abroad

Many countries in the world have postal dealers that deal in stamps, philatelic products, and philatelic equipment from their own countries and from around the world. Some operate in one category: such as specializing in early tickets, first-day covers, souvenir sheets, etc. Stamp collectors can go to these stamp dealers to meet their needs if necessary. Some have strong capital and large businesses. For example: Japan Post Service Company, American International First Day Cover Company. They have tens of thousands of regular subscribers, they spend a lot of money traveling around the world to buy treasures for customers, and they spend a lot of money every year on advertising, holding stamp exhibitions, etc. China's philately must vigorously develop professional companies. Currently, some stamp dealers are developing on a professional path, specializing in postcards, souvenir sheets, stamps, stamps, stamps, etc. The purpose of professional management is to allow customers to easily find the stamp products they need, and to allow operators to master the professional methods of purchasing, selling and inventorying stamp products. Existing Chinese postal enterprises should become incubators for stamp products and serve stamp collectors. Chinese postal enterprises must learn from foreign publicity efforts and spend part of their profits on the development of the Postal Association to cultivate the market.

Chinese stamps must be introduced to countries around the world to achieve internationalization, in order to better improve the level of Chinese philately and enter the international philatelic economic cycle. Firstly, it is necessary to develop large philatelic companies in China; secondly, it is necessary to vigorously develop Chinese postal dealers. Only in this way can we have a deep understanding of the global market conditions, promote our own philatelic products in all directions and quickly, and introduce philatelic products from other countries. The main measures for the internationalization of China's stamps are to widely open domestic stamp markets, widely publicize domestic and foreign philatelic markets, provide certain conditions for stamp dealers, philatelists, and investors, and develop the stamp import and export industry through multiple channels. However, China's philatelic industry has completely sailed out of the canyon of self-production, self-marketing, self-sufficiency and self-sufficiency, and entered the far and wide ocean. We look forward to the true spring of China's philatelic industry. I hope that China’s philatelic industry will soon become a global industry!