Philatelic Problems

China's philatelic market began in the early 1980s with the spontaneous formation of the "road bazaar", which was based on mutual exchange.

After the reform and opening up, China's philatelic industry underwent a great change, and the biggest change was the marketization of stamps. At the beginning of the philatelic market, the majority of philatelists applauded, indicating that the spring of China's philatelic industry had arrived. The philatelic market has developed from a mutual exchange-oriented market to an investment-oriented one, and has weathered storms and ups and downs for more than twenty years. (Including the 85, 91, 97 years of the three degrees of postal prices "blowout" period, but also includes the 83-84, 88-89, 95-95 three degrees of postal prices normal and stable period, including 86-87, 92-95, 97-2002 did not stop the three degrees of postal prices in the downturn), the formation of the three up, three down, three stable pattern.

Today, when we look at the postal market, we have long since lost sight of the philatelists who frequented the market in those years, and what we hear are the grievances and dissatisfaction of the philatelists with the postal market. The reason for this is that over the years, China's postal market has never been able to become a market that can give credibility to the philatelic world and serve the majority of philatelists. In the past ten years, the issue of new stamps has been very disorderly, the proportion of high denomination stamps has remained high, the issue of new stamps has been discounted year after year, the development of postal products has been excessive and proliferated, and all kinds of irregularities have emerged in an endless stream, so that the confidence in the market has disappeared, and postal people have complained a lot, and the market has been in a downturn to a disastrous state. Philately as a whole is detached from the market, the road of development is getting narrower and narrower, and the development of society as a whole is getting more and more out of sync, and has entered a dead end. We all think that this is the evil consequence of speculation. But I think this is the inevitable result of the role of a variety of factors in the depth of China's postal sector, which is to be explored by people in the philatelic community to study, is briefly analyzed as follows:

First, the relationship between the issuance of stamps more and less

Since the establishment of the All-China Philatelic Federation in January 1982, the same year, held in August, the first national congress, the resumption of philatelic philatelic philately, philatelic markets began to The philatelic market began to flourish, due to the issuance of 5 million T46 "Monkey Stamps" market price soaring impact, a face value of 0.08 yuan "Monkey" full-sheet stamps from 6.4 yuan to the full sheet of 24,000 yuan (currently 120,000 yuan), so that the popularity of the postal market greatly increased. With the favorable market conditions, postal dealers, investors, and philatelists rapidly increased, and created a rapid warming of the philatelic market from the end of 1984 to the beginning of 1985 until the "blowout" of postal prices (at that time, the normal sheetlet mintage of 85 years ago ranged from 10 to 2.5 million). To the May 24, 1985 storm clouds, panda sheetlets issued in huge quantities (12,668,300), although the control of the postal market overheating situation, but at that time the postal market was rapidly falling down the downturn to cool off, discounted by the beginning of the situation, the first high tide of the end of the Chinese post. From then on, China Post relied on the offering of stamps issued by this magic weapon to intervene in the market, and repeatedly tried, China's philatelic market from then on into the deformed development.

In order to reverse the decline of the stamp market, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MOTT) at that time reintroduced souvenir sheets between 1986 and the end of 1988 to return to an average of 4-5 million pieces, and the philatelic market gradually regained its stability. Immediately after the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in 1989-1991, the issue volume rose again to 7-13.1 million pieces at the same time, (at that time, the stamp issue volume was announced once a year) in order to be able to activate the market, the issue volume of only 1.3 million into the Red Buddha sheetlet and the issue volume of 1.828 million "fat" sheetlet debuted one after the other, the postal market from June '91 onwards, along with the large number of over-the-counter capital influx of the market, the resulting Large-scale speculation so that the postal market soon entered a frantic state, the postal market broke out of the second large-cap postal price "blowout". A cover and piece of a few cents rose at a frantic pace, creating an amazing value-added multiplier of 10 to 20 times. At that time, the postal market was overcrowded, postal prices jumped three times a day, the wind of postal speculation swept the country. After that, it was suppressed by a sky-high issue volume, which cooled down the market boom and brought the postal market to the edge of collapse, almost killing the Chinese postal market. (September 14, 1991 disaster relief stamps issued, the issue volume of 40 million sets, resulting in the postal market should fall again below the face value. Subsequently, the entire 3 on the first half of the 92-95 sheetlet issue expanded to between 30-40 million, the postal market to the point where it was going to collapse.)

Starting in 1995, the postal enterprises in order to seek the market again, in August 1995-May 1996, issued the World Ping sheetlet volume (5,113,600 pieces), toothless laurel sheetlet (567,000 pieces), toothless empty tripod sheetlet (5,456,000 pieces), and at the same time, the average normal sheetlet issuance volume was lowered from 30-40 million to 16-18 million, which in turn resulted in the collapse of the postal market. At the same time, the average normal sheetlet mintage was lowered from 30-40 million to 16-18 million, creating the third "blowout" in the postal market from the end of December 1996 to July 197th. Postal prices more than a climax, the funds more than a time. In the huge amount of money under the pursuit of a variety of postal products such as the wild horse straight up, the postal market transactions in bulk, more than a hundred thousand to millions of turnover can be seen everywhere, the market funds hundreds of billions of dollars. 1997 July Hong Kong's return to the gold foil sheetlet 50 yuan nominal value has also been speculated in the high price of 500 yuan of the scenery. Gold foil sheetlet announced circulation of 20 million, Hong Kong reunification sheetlet announced circulation of 57.71 million, the postal market from then on into the discounted situation, the postal market whole half a year after the madness again turned cold.

In 1998-99, China Post started to adjust the issue volume of mini-sheets to an average of 24-32 million pieces.

In 2000, the number of souvenir sheets started to decrease again, and the issue volume was between 17.19-21.45 million pieces.

The 2001 souvenir sheet was now reduced again, with mintages ranging from 14.5-17 million.

The first half of the 2002 souvenir sheet mintage was 12.9 million.

Between 2001 and 2002, there was also a small number of miniatures issued. (Not well activated market reasons: (1) as a result of two years to issue a small amount of small varieties of basic for the small stamps, small sheet, for philatelists, there are more enthusiasts did not collect small series of stamps; (2) small sheet booking of stamps are equipped with a small set of stamps, do not necessarily need the small sheet; (3) the annual booklet also does not have the position of small sheet; (4) the small sheet of the volume of the large, game through the poor concentration of the market, the formation of a high start and low walk. The postal market has been in the doldrums, I think: the amount of small varieties should be in the "miniature sheet", "small full sheet" for the article, "small booklet, small sheet" is unable to drive the whole disk, and invisible increase in the issuance of sets of stamps.)

On May 16, 2002, the issue of "World Cup Soccer" souvenir sheet of 3 million pieces, visible upper management once again clear mind, find the target of the market to stimulate the law. But what is the scientific basis for deciding how many stamps to issue, the postal management? Or postal enterprises need? Not the market? To understand the importance of scientific measurement of the size of the stamp issue from the market on the twenty several times in the sinking and floating, from the healthy development of China's postal market in the overall situation, the correct handling of stamps issued by the relationship between large and small, so that the stamp issue gradually from the arbitrary, blind, speculative to the scientific, standardized, legal, direction change. I hope that after many years of operation and management experience of the upper management to completely change the postal market, "a few on the downturn, a boom" of the deformed market development track. However, this issue quot;World Cup Soccer Tournament" souvenir sheet, the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, three places to cooperate in the issue. But the mainland postal sales channels are not standardized, sales prices are unreasonable, resulting in the market, investors, enthusiasts lose confidence. Postal enterprises to make money mainly in the provinces in the form of "packages", that is, "collocation" approach to marketing. Its face value of RMB 2.8 yuan, Australian dollars 3.5 yuan equivalent to RMB 10 yuan plus a small discount price of 20 yuan, but also with other postal products. The so-called "package" sales to get the market's rejection, the formation of the price plummeted, so that the "package" sales can not progress, which in the norms?

Second, the price of stamps up, bank interest rates down and the relationship between the postal market:

In the 1980s China out of the market back from the dead and rise with amazing speed and strength, China Stamps Corporation, according to the need from 1979 to 1997 on the price of stamps for the 14 upward adjustments to the new China's stamps have appreciated significantly, the frequency of price adjustments, an average of one adjustment per year. once. Its purpose is to protect the interests of philatelists, to put more stamps in stock on the market, to meet the needs of philatelists, especially new collectors, and to determine the selling price in accordance with the law of supply and demand in the market. The former Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications stipulated that one year after the issuance of the stamps, the price could be adjusted according to the changes in the supply and demand in the market, and that the price adjustment belonged to the philatelic operation and management of the routine work, and that the state company would standardize the selling price after the price adjustment, and that the operators in the market would basically refer to the adjustment of the price of the stamps. The price adjustment is a routine work in the management of philately. Reflecting the objective law of supply and demand in the market, people not only see the cultural significance of philately but also open up the awareness of value-adding and wealth storage in the field of philately because philatelic stamps have been detached from the nominal value, and the selling price is determined according to the law of supply and demand, which can be adjusted according to the market changes in supply and demand. Each price increase coincides with the background of the People's Bank of China's interest rate reduction. Therefore, the price increase often becomes the trigger to set off the postal market boom. If it is not upward adjustment of postal prices, downward adjustment of interest rate market boom may not be able to start. Banks to lower interest rates is intended to make the majority of residents will save for the purchase of goods to alleviate the commercial weakness and increased inventory of goods to start the contradictions of the market, and "coincidental" stamps issued by the policy to reduce the amount of small varieties of prominent, resulting in the production of postal prices again and again, "blowout".

China Stamps Corporation on the upward adjustment of postal prices and the People's Bank of China savings interest rates downward, stamps issued by the reduction of the amount of this on the next one, one less, just constitutes a pointer arrow direction of the postal market, which is only with a minimum of knowledge of mathematics and arithmetic people have calculated that the purchase of stamps to save money than deposits in the bank appreciation of the value of the fast, thousands of Chinese people to put their savings into the sale of stamps, which became China's fastest-growing financial market. It has become the fastest growing financial market in China. Over the past two decades, due to inflation far exceeded the bank interest rate, people are eager to find other ways to invest, stamps have become the best choice, the formation of the postal market eruption, the postal price "blowout" situation.

However, in 92 years, with the opening up of the state-owned philatelic companies, the local companies to compete directly in the market, the formation of an unregulated business system between the state-owned companies and the state-owned companies to compete in the sale of state-owned companies and the competition between the state-owned companies and postal traders, do not need to be adjusted in accordance with the price of stamps at a uniform price of the sale of the companies selling price of the five entry loopholes, and the price of their own positions and fight the price of war, and now the state-owned companies to deal with the means are out of control, resulting in the wind of discounts in the postal market. The company's trading methods are now out of control, resulting in the postal market, the wind of discounts repeatedly prohibited. 5 years without upwardly adjusted postal prices, the postal market has been in the doldrums, all the way down no one asked for it to the present has not been a large company out to stabilize the price of stamps, development of selling price directory and acquisition of directories to ensure that investors, philatelists, postal traders interests. And in the meantime, from October 23, 1997 - February 21, 2002, the bank interest rate down 7 times in a row, the interest rate from 4.14% in 1997 to 1.71% in 2002, but has not been able to take care of the postal market is suffering in the midst of the fire, delivering fresh blood.

Third, the potential of the philatelic market still exists

Reform for more than 20 years, China's market economy has seen a national leap forward. Commodities out of the integrated planned economy model into the market, according to the needs of the community free circulation. Joining the WTO is a new issue facing China's socialist business community. Although we already have more than twenty years of experience in economic reform and lessons learned, although we can learn from the experience of all developing countries in the development of China's market economy, but the healthy development of China's market economy still has a process of groping in practice, there is a process of successive spread of the process.

Chinese people hold 6 trillion dollars in cash and savings deposits. These capitals have two characteristics: one seeks to add value; the other seeks to preserve value. At present China can accept these capital in the public arena is the bank, the stock market, wealth management. However, with the current downward adjustment of bank interest rates and the risks associated with stocks, residents are even more eager to seek a destination for preservation and appreciation of value. While the real estate market, although quite potential, residents to buy houses still mortgage, unwilling to invest in capital, so the recent move has a big investment. Although the real estate company value-added. But the masses do not have a share. 85, 91, 97, the postal market boom to the Chinese residents of the vibration again and again. Over the past two decades, most of the people have been shaken by the working class, is now in middle age, investment is more cautious, as long as the country does not take special measures, the postman and to the residents of the philatelic investment is still of great interest, after all, it is the country's products, "the national business card", the future of the postal market will be regulated continuously. Therefore, people seeking to preserve and increase the value of the investment intention is still focusing on stamps. On the development of philatelic cause for more than twenty years, China's philatelic industry has developed a large number of working class, middle-aged, young people, women. If the appreciation of stamps can continue to maintain the level of bank interest rates, the number of philatelists will continue to increase. The stamp market in three times under the influence of the stamp market wind wave, the problem has been exposed now more need is the attention of the relevant authorities. The masses are watching the Chinese postal market, the Chinese postal market is at a critical historical crossroads.

Fourth, the problems of China's philatelic business

At present, China has officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), which marks the unprecedented development of China's openness, China's economy will be fully aligned with the international economy, the Chinese nation is facing a new opportunity and challenge in the trend of global economic integration is growing, the traditional culture and the concept of unprecedented challenges today, how to grasp the letter of the historic opportunity to meet the challenges. How to seize the historical opportunities and meet the challenges is a very realistic question in front of all Chinese people. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said, "Development is the hard way". Only development can seize the opportunity of history to solve various conflicts. Only development can realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the 21st century.

How to standardize the postal market has become the latest topic in front of the Chinese philatelic community." Stamps is the national business card, but also the Chinese investment market, it is worth studying", it is worth paying attention to. But to regulate the postal market to regulate the operation of the first said to be strictly in accordance with the law, there must be law, law enforcement must be strict, illegal must be investigated, the management of the top management to regulate the postal market in accordance with the law, to use the correct policy in order to develop and prosper the city, in order to participate in the international competition market challenges.

China's corporate culture has a tradition of serving the country and the people. Although China's philatelic enterprises have also put forward the slogan of "supporting the mail to the people, value-added services" and "cultivating the market", there are many problems in the current postal enterprises that are contrary to this. Irregularities and short-term behaviors occur from time to time, philatelic resources are over-opened, and too many postal products are issued indiscriminately. Investment in the philatelic market lacks rules and order. Some postal merchants are unethical and speculate to make money by any means. Both philatelic companies and postal merchants lack the cultivation of the philatelic market. The key lies in the fact that the philatelic business of postal enterprises should vigorously carry out the reform of the special management system. Separation of government and enterprises is the key to postal regulation of the philatelic market. People always think that part of the collection out of the company violates the law in order to just complete the task of the index of the problem of putting a large number of tickets into the market. Rather, Chinese postal enterprises have never changed their business model; opening the door in the first quarter, half of the task in the second quarter of time Confucianism, the third quarter of the big ninety days, the fourth quarter of the sprint and so on. The use of the administrative system to obtain the economic benefits require balanced development. Part of the Post Office (philatelic companies do not have the right) may not take into account the cost of local processing letters a large number of low nominal value of the sale of postage certificates to obtain the self-discretion of the sticker income, to China's philatelic cause has brought great damage, so the operating system and marketing strategies and so on to carry out a complete transformation. Of course, the market changes every quarter and develops income. If the Chinese brand company "Haier" has to sell a large number of air conditioners in winter, it would be strange if it does not reduce its prices. Why "Haier" has become a Chinese brand worthy of China's postal service to learn and study the "sales approach" and "uniform price", philately also need to create a brand

Fifth, China's philatelic should be stepped into the market-oriented management, to put an end to the irregularities

1, the establishment of a postal management system in accordance with the postal service's current mode of operation, the postal service according to postal vouchers for sales of the positive party to obtain the revenue of the sticker from the stamps of postage stamps, the management company - the provincial postal administration - to establish a management system. Management Company - Provincial Postal Administration Postage Voucher Management Department - prefecture and municipal post offices - county and township post offices, sticker income is uniformly surrendered. Can fundamentally eliminate the problem of low denomination.

2, in the present philatelic company on the basis of the construction of the China Philatelic Corporation - the provincial philatelic company - the prefecture philatelic branch - the county and township philatelic subsidiaries or stores, people, money and material independent philatelic professional management system for the commodity market, the formation of a unified commodity unit price.

3. State-owned philatelic companies operating new issues of postal products indicate that the postal products have entered the field of commodities as commodities that must be purchased in full from the postal system.

4. Since the philatelic enterprise is the largest purchaser of the documentary stamps, it can be said to a certain extent that the philatelic enterprise is in a buyer's monopoly. It has the right to comment on the issuance of commemorative stamps according to its own business situation. Therefore, the state-owned philatelic enterprises can obtain monopoly profits due to their mastery of the issuance of ephemeral stamps, forming the postal service is the largest shareholder of the philatelic enterprises.

5. The philatelic company's business can also be listed on the stock market. (The philatelic business is a subsidiary value-added business of the postal service, and the postal service is a postal incubator, and the hatched chicks (stamps) are handed over to the philatelic company for sale in the market.) The philatelic company can return the new stamps issued by the postal service if there is any violation of the law and so on, which is unfavorable to the market, and destroy them. With long-term interests and credibility for the development of China's large philatelic companies as well as the short-term behavior of philatelic enterprises to limit and monitor.

Sixth, China's philately should take the road of specialization, the development of foreign countries

Many countries in the world have postal merchants, operating in their own countries and countries around the world, stamps, philatelic products, philatelic paraphernalia. Some of them operate in one category, such as specializing in early stamps, first day covers, souvenir sheets and so on. Stamp collectors can find these dealers to fulfill their needs. Some of them are well-funded and do a lot of business. For example, the Japan Postal Service and the U.S. Universal First Day Cover Company. They have thousands of fixed subscribers, they do not hesitate to travel to and from all over the world to acquire treasures for their customers, and they spend a lot of money every year on publicity and advertisement, organizing postal exhibitions, etc. China's philately must vigorously develop specialized postal dealers. China's philately must vigorously develop specialized companies. At present, a part of postal merchants are developing their business on a professional path, specializing in postcards, souvenir sheets, stamps, postal covers, etc. The purpose of specialization is to enable customers to find good postal covers. The purpose of specialized operation is to allow customers to find the postal products they need, and to allow operators to grasp the road of importing, selling and stocking specialized postal products. Existing Chinese postal enterprises should become the incubator of postal products for the service of philatelists. China's postal enterprises should learn from foreign publicity efforts to spend a portion of the profits in the development of postal associations to make articles and cultivate the market.

China's stamps need to penetrate the world to achieve internationalization, in order to better raise the grade of China's philately and enter the international philatelic economic cycle. The first is to develop a large Chinese philatelic company; the second is to vigorously develop Chinese postal merchants. Only in this way can we know how to penetrate into the world market and how to launch our own philatelic products and bring in other countries' philatelic products in a multi-faceted and faster way. The opening of domestic postal markets, the publicity of the domestic and international philatelic markets, the provision of certain conditions for postal dealers, philatelists and investors by the state, and the development of various channels for the import and export of stamps are the main measures for the internationalization of China's stamps. However, China's philatelic industry has completely sailed out of the canyon of self-production, self-marketing, self-sufficiency and self-sufficiency, and has entered into a far-reaching and broad ocean, looking forward to the arrival of the real spring of China's philatelic industry. I hope that China's philatelic industry will sail to global production as soon as possible!