2019-28 Innovation in Science and Technology II (Commemorative Stamps)

Date of issue: November 1, 2019

(5-1) J Chang'e-4                                                                                           1.20 Yuan

(5-2) J Monkey Cloning with Somatic Cells                                                      1.20 Yuan

(5-3) J Experimental Discovery of Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect                 1.20 Yuan

(5-4) J GV-971, New Drug for AD Treatment                                                   1.50 Yuan

(5-5) J China Spallation Neutron Source                                                          1.50 Yuan

Size of stamp: 40x30 mm

Perforation: 13

Sheet composition: 16

Size of format: 200x150 mm

Printing process: Offset (partial Embossing)

Anti-counterfeiting measures: anti-counterfeiting paper

                                                                anti-counterfeiting ink

                                                                heterotypic perforation

                                                                fluorescent code

Designer: Du Yukai

Printer: Henan Post and Telecommunication Printing Works

Description:

On November 1, 2019, China Post issued a set of five commemorative stamps titled “Innovation in Science and Technology (II)” with a total face value of 6.60 yuan. The picture on the stamps is titled “Chang’e-4”, “Monkey Cloning with Somatic Cells”, “Experimental Discovery of Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect”, “GV-971, New Drug for AD Treatment” and “China Spallation Neutron Source” respectively. China National Philatelic Corporation issued a set of five first-day covers for the occasion.

With the great efforts for implementation of the strategy of innovation-driven development, China made fruitful achievements in the field of science and technology. Two launches were conducted for the Chang’e-4 mission: relay satellite “Queqiao” was launched successfully on May 21, 2018; the Chang’e-4 probe consisting of rover “Yutu-2” and a lander was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on December 8, 2018 and landed at a preselected place on the far side of the moon on January 3, 2019. Various scientific exploration tasks were carried out successively. The successful Chang’e-4 mission realized the first-ever patrol and exploration on the far side of the moon by a human spacecraft, and made China become the first to leave “footprint” on the far side of the moon.

A scientific research team of the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology/Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences solved a worldwide problem in the frontier of life science by realizing non-human primate cloning with somatic cells for the first time in the world. On November 27, 2017, the first monkey cloned with somatic cells in the world “Zhong Zhong” was born. On December 5, 2017, the second cloned monkey “Hua Hua” was born. This achievement appeared on the cover of the scientific journal cell on February 8, 2018, was reputed to be “a milestone in biotechnology”, and aroused worldwide attention.

Quantum anomalous Hall effect is a quantum Hall effect requiring no external magnetic field and based on a brand-new physical principle. It is not only the key to actual application of the quantum Hall effect, but also the basis of realization of many new novel quantum states. The experimental discovery of quantum anomalous Hall effect by a research team of Tsinghua University and the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences eliminated a bottleneck that hindered substantial experimental progress in this field in over 20 years in the world, and received the first prize in the 2018 State Natural Science Award for one of the important scientific effects discovered by Chinese physicists after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

GV-971 is a Chinese innovative oral drug against Alzheimer’s disease (AD), jointly developed by the Ocean University of China, the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceutical Company. The drug has met the primary endpoint on cognitive function improvement in mild-to-moderate AD patients in a pivotal Phase 3 Trial. It is safe and well-tolerated in patients, suitable for long-term use. The success of GV-971 brings new hope for AD patients that currently lack effective therapies, suggests a new strategy for the research and development of anti-AD drugs, and marks China’s great progress in drug innovation.

The China Spallation Neutron Source jointly built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Province is China’s first and the world’s fourth pulsed spallation neutron source, providing important research means for breakthroughs in the scientific fields of material science, physics, chemistry, resources and environment, life sciences and new energy. Over 90% of the China Spallation Neutron Source’s equipment were domestically developed and produced, and its technical parameters and performance are internationally advanced among similar facilities, realizing China’s leap in the fields of high-intensity proton accelerators and neutron scattering.