China 1995/1996 - China Complete Years 1995/1996 MNH + commemorative issue

The images show the covers of 2 annual philatelic albums of the People's Republic of China related to the years 1995 and 1996. These volumes are official publications that collect all the special and commemorative stamps issued in China during a given calendar year.

Volume features
Content: Usually contains the complete sets of stamps issued in the indicated year (1995), often stored in transparent protective pockets inside the pages.
Physical description: Features a red hard cover with the national emblem of the People's Republic of China embossed in gold and the title in Chinese and English.
Collectible value: It is an item sought after by Chinese philatelists. Its value depends on the condition of the album and, above all, on the presence and quality (often "Mint Never Hinged" or MNH, i.e., new with intact gum) of the original stamps.
Missing the last Souvenir sheet.
Additionally a commemorative newspaper
The image shows the front page of a special edition of the Hebei Unicom newspaper (河北联通), dated Wednesday, March 26, 1997.

Historical Event
The main headline announces the official opening of the digital mobile telephony network "130" by the Hebei branch of China United Telecommunications Corporation (now China Unicom). This event marked a key milestone in the modernization of telecommunications in Hebei Province, introducing GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology to break the monopoly then existing in the sector.

Newspaper Details
Headline: Highlights the speech by Vice Governor Guo Shichang at the opening ceremony of the "130" network in Shijiazhuang.
Content: Includes congratulatory messages from various authorities, including the Qinhuangdao municipal government, and articles describing the strategic importance of the new digital network for regional economic development.
Symbolism: The number "130" was the distinctive prefix assigned to China Unicom’s GSM network, becoming a symbol of competition and accessibility of mobile telephony in China in the late 1990s.

Corporate Context
China Unicom was founded in 1994 precisely to introduce competition in the Chinese telecommunications market. The launch of the 130 network in Hebei in 1997 was part of a broader national strategy to spread digital technology, which led to a drastic reduction in mobile phone prices and service costs for citizens.

This item is an official album containing the stamps issued by the People's Republic of China in 1996.
Content: Includes special and commemorative stamps of the indicated year.
Design: Features a burgundy faux-leather cover with gold lettering and crest.
Collecting: It is a sought-after collectible, often sold in mint condition.
Origin: Produced and printed in China.