An official first day cover is sold at HK$1.30 on Sept. 3, 2018. Hongkong Post issued a set of four special stamps symbolizing linkage that show the vivid colors and smooth lines of XRL trains. (Photo/Ta Kung Pao)
(ECNS) - Special postal stamps depicting the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link are in great demand after release on Monday.
The 26-km long section runs from West Kowloon north to the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border, where it connects with the mainland rail system. It will be commissioned this month and is expected to greatly shorten travel time by rail from Hong Kong to major mainland cities through the high-speed rail network.
Hongkong Post is issuing a set of four special stamps symbolizing linkage that show the vivid colors and smooth lines of XRL trains. The stamps feature Guangzhou (HK$2), Shenzhen (HK$3.70) and Hong Kong (HK$4.90 and HK$5).
Official first day covers at HK$1.30 each were put on sale at all post offices on Monday. A woman surnamed Wang, 70, said she bought the special stamp because it commemorates an important event
A man in his twenties, who purchased five first day covers, said the high-speed train connection means a new wave of economic opportunities for the special administrative region, a piece of good news for especially young people.
Fans bought 80 first day covers at Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office on Monday morning.
Various motifs representing cultural characteristics and landmarks of the three cities appear on sections of the train depicted in the stamps. The design for the central part of the train forms a pair of linked hands to signify Hong Kong and the mainland joining hands to explore new opportunities, according to Hong Kong Post.
