Commemorative 261 10th Asian International Philatelic Exhibition Commemorative Issue

　　The 10th Asian International Philatelic Exhibition 1996 was held at the Taipei World Trade Center from Oct. 21st. through 27th.In conjunction with this stamp exhibition, this Directorate issued a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet on Oct. 21st, 1996, portraying (1) Autumn Scene with Wild Geese (2) Reeds and Wild Geese (3) Wild Geese Gathering on a Shore of Reeds (4) Wild Geese on a Bank in Autumn, four ancient Chinese paintings now held in the National Palace Museum.

　　With the economic development in recent years, residents in Taiwan began to care about the quality and nature of their leisure time activities. Stamp collecting as a hobby has grown by leaps and bounds, as evidenced by the rapid growth in the philatelic population and the frequent holding of stamp shows by local stamp clubs or societies. 1996 marked the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Postal Service. In order to celebrate this important milestone in it's history, this Directorate, under the patronage of the FIAP and in cooperation with the Chinese Taipei Philatelic Federation and China External Trade Development Council, organized the 10th Asian International Philatelic Exhibition 1996. The exhibition was of great significance, in that it provided an opportunity for the local stamp collectors to gain knowledge from and exchange knowledge about philately with other Asian philatelists by participating in international events and viewing the rare and valuable exhibits displayed by Asian philatelists.