China sells stamps to help earthquake victims

The Associated Press is reporting special stamps to help raise funds for earthquake victims have gone on sale in China.

Featuring three interlocking hearts on a red background, the stamp has a value of 17 cents but sells for 32 cents.


China's official Xinhua News Agency says 13 million of the special stamps will be on sale through June 20. All proceeds will be donated to the disaster areas.

The set of stamps is the seventh in China to be issued as a form of community donation. It is the second stamp released to help fight disasters, according to Shanghai Post.

The death toll from the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province is 34,073 and continues to climb. Almost 250,000 have been injured and many more left homeless.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, says donations for disaster relief have reached $1.5 billion.

Shown above in a Shanghai Post photo, a stamp collector takes a close look at stamps bought by Lin Minwei (left). Lin was the first to buy the stamps.