The Asian-Oceanic Postal Union (AOPU) was formally established on April 1, 1962 on which day the Asian-Oceanic Postal Convention also took effect. April 1, 1963 was the first anniversary of the AOPU. Its member countries were the Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Philippines, and Thailand. The purpose of the Union is to extend, facilitate, and improve the postal relations between the member countries and to promote cooperation in the postal field within this limited region. In celebration of the first anniversary, a set of commemorative postage stamps was issued.　　The stamps consist of 0.80, 2.00 and 6.00 denominations. The 0.80 stamp shows two swallows, noted for their graceful flight and regularity of migrations, suggesting the frequency and efficiency of mails. The 2.00 stamp takes as its central subject a pair of sea gulls flying over the high sea, symbolic of the extensive area of postal services. The 6.00 stamp has a sacred crane flying under a pine tree, which, according to Chinese legends, conveys the idea of longevity, thus symbolizing the future of the AOPU. In a corner of each design are the words〝AOPU First Auniversary〞 both in English and Chinese characters superimposed on an Asian-Oceanic map.