Flying kites is a traditional Chinese leisure activity, and the art of making kites has been passed down from generation to generation. Traditionally, Chinese kites were made out of bamboo spars and tissue paper. In ancient times only nobility or high officials had the opportunity to fly kites that were painstakingly constructed and structurally more complex. In southern mainland China kites are known as yao (sparrow hawks), whereas in the north they are known as yuan (hawks). Paper yuan are what people think of when they think of traditional Chinese kites. If you are a stickler for precise distinctions, Chinese kites that make noise are known as "Fengcheng," whereas those that don’t make noise are known as "Chihyuan." Kite flying is a healthy leisure activity in the Republic of China. Overseas, countries such as Japan, Korea, Germany, the United States and Canada have kite associations and put on kite festivals. The Directorate has specially printed a set of four kite stamps, which are scheduled to be released on July 13, 2001. Mr. Hung-tu Ko was commissioned to paint the stamps, and China Color Printing Co. Inc. is handling the color deep-etch offset printing.