China Stamps - 2001-23, Scott 3146 Ancient Sailing Boats (Jointly-Issued by China and Portugal) - MNH, F-VF - (93146)

China Stamps - 2001-23, Scott 3146 Ancient Sailing Boats (Jointly-Issued by China and Portugal) - MNH, F-VF : Shown on both stamps are ancient wooden seagoing crafts. The Chinese boat was an oceangoing vessel of the Song Dynasty, excavated in Quanzhou, Fujian Province. The design and building of this 700-year old vessel synthesize many techniques and meet various performance requirements, boasting high technology content. The Portuguese boat was a lateener for fishing or seagoing in the 15th century. This kind of boat, due to its outstanding performance, was still widely used in the 18th Century. China was one of the first nations in the world to start ocean-going trips, and Portugal was once an ocean power in history. The stamps embody the two peoples' intelligence in conquering the ocean in history and the friendship between the two nations.