This article contains a list of people who appeared on the stamps of the People's Republic of China, commonly known as China. See also Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue - Part 17 China.
Between 1949 and 1979, China's stamps featured 56 distinct people who belonged in four categories: ethical and mythical figures, revolutionary martyrs, political figures, and cultural figures.[1] During the same time period, Taiwan had 57 distinct people on its stamps. Four people appeared on both China's stamps and Taiwan's stamps during the time period.[1] They were Sun Yat-sen, the poets Qu Yuan and Du Fu, and Zhan Tianyou, who was the earliest Chinese railroad engineer.[1]
On 1 December 1962, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the People's Republic of China [zh] released a set of eight stamps in its second edition of a collection titled "Ancient Chinese Scientists" (Chinese: 中国古代科学家).[2] On 25 February 1994, the ministry published a four-stamp collection of its second edition of "Patriotic Democrats" (Chinese: 爱国民主人士).[2] The agency issued a four-stamp collection of its second edition of "Modern Chinese Scientists" (Chinese: 中国古代科学家) on 25 May 2011.[2] On 30 September 2014, it released a four-stamp collection titled "Patriotic Democrats" (Chinese: 爱国民主人士).[2] The ministry published the a four-stamp collection of its seventh edition of "Modern Chinese Scientists" (Chinese: 中国现代科学家) on 8 May 2016. Xi'an Evening News [zh] noted the prevalence of centenarians appearing on the stamps.[2]
Lenin, Vladimir (1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1980) Leader of the October Revolution, Head of the Soviet Union, Theorist of Marxism–Leninism
Liu Hulan, a spy for the Chinese Communist Party whom the Kuomingtang executed. On 30 January 1977, 30 years after she was killed, China released a set of three stamps bearing her image.[3]
Mao Zedong (1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006) the founder of the People's Republic of China. One year after he died, on 9 September 1977, China published six stamps bearing his image to pay tribute to him.[5]
Xiang Jingyu, a revolutionary whom Chairman Mao called an exemplary female leader. To commemorate International Women's Day, the ministry released two stamps on 8 March 1978 with the name "Glorious Examples for Chinese Women". Xiang's image was on one of the stamps.[6]
Yang Jingyu (2005) Commander-in-chief, Political Commissar
Yang Kaihui, the second wife of Mao Zedong. To commemorate International Women's Day, the ministry released two stamps on 8 March 1978 with the name "Glorious Examples for Chinese Women". Yang's image was on one of the stamps.[6]
Zhou Enlai (1977, 1998), the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. China released four stamps each bearing his image exactly one year following his death to commemorate him. On each stamp was printed the Chinese characters, "First Anniversary of the Death of the Great Leader and Teacher Chairman Mao Zedong."[7]
Zhu De (1952, 1957, 1977, 1986) Communist military leader, Statesman. One year after he died, on 6 July 1977, China published four stamps bearing his image to pay tribute to him.[8]
