The State Post Bureau has issued China's first special stamps featuring hydropower projects of the Yellow River, China's second longest waterway, in this capital of central Henan Province.

The set, which goes on sale Saturday, includes four stamps and one souvenir sheet. The stamps worth 3.2 yuan (39 US cents) bear pictures of four key projects in the Lijia, Liujia, Qingtong and Sanmeng Gorges.

Along with the souvenir sheet of 12 stamps worth eight yuan (96 US cents), the set displays the Yellow River's role in Chinese civilization and economic development.

The cradle of Chinese civilization, the 5,464-meter-long (3.5 miles) river runs from northwestern Qinghai Province, winds its way through seven other provinces and regions, and comes out at the sea in eastern Shandong Province.

(People's Daily June 8, 2002)