Tian Gong Kai Wu, by Suns Yin-shing of the late Ming-dynasty, provides an overview and record of the development of agricultural and industrial technology in ancient China. To enrich people's knowledge and appreciation of our country's traditional scientific and technical accomplishments, this Directorate continues the series of stamp issues based on Tian Gong Kai Wu, with a set on the theme of ancient Chinese ships and vehicles.The previous issues in this series featured Paper-making (1994), Irrigation Skill(l995), Silk (1996) and Porcelain (1997). This year's issue, comprising four stamps in denominations of NT$5.00, NT$7.00, NT$ 10.00 and NT$13.00. Each of the stamps represents one of the ships or vehicles described in the section of Tian Gong Kai Wu on transport: (1) a grain barge, (2) a six oared revenue money-boat, (3) a one-wheeled carriage, and (4) a southern Chinese one-man push-cart. Professor Wang Wei-hui of National Taiwan Ocean University has acted in an advisory capacity.
China is vast in area, and every region has different resources and produce. Hence its far-flung population has always relied on land and water transport for communications and the movement of goods. Tian Gong Kai Wu describes the development of means of transport in China since ancient times
(I) First Day Cover to be sold at NT$2.00 apiece.(2) Folder especially prepared for the stamps to be sold at NT$6.00 apiece(3) Folder with crystal mount for better protection of the stamps to be sold at NT$8.00 apiece.(4) Loose-leaf stamp album page with plastic cover to be sold at NT$8.00 apiece(5) Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a low valued stamp to be sold at NT$7.00 apiece.(6) Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a complete set of stamps to be sold at NT$37.00 apiece.