As a result of geography and climate, as well as the hard work of scholars, experts and farmers, Taiwan produces an unusually abundant variety of fruits. Fruit production is one of the pillars of Taiwan's rural economy and helps to bring our country a lot of foreign exchange. The Directorate General of Posts has chosen sixteen fruits for a series of 16 stamps, which will be issued separately in different sets. The first set features apples, guavas, pears and melons and will be released on February 23, 2001. The stamps, painted by Mr. Lee Kuang-chi and printed in color deep-etch offset by China Color Printing Co. Inc., will have denominations of NT$5.00, NT$7.00, NT$12.00 and NT$25.00. Fruits are delicious and also nutritious, containing minerals, fiber, pectin, organic acids and vitamins. They balance our diets, help us ward off disease, fill us with vim and vigor, and prolong our lives. Fruits are beautiful on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside, with a sweet or slightly sour taste. They clean our digestive systems, satiate our hunger, and help to make us look and feel more beautiful.