The well-known thinkers, Confucius, Lao Zi, Mencius, Zhuang Zi,

Mo Zi and Xun Zi, lived during the Spring and Autumn and Warring

States period (770B.C.-221 B.C.).

Yuan Xikun, a well-known painter, created the portraits.

Experts said that the facial expressions of the philosophers are vivid, revealing their charisma.

On November 11, ceremonies for the issuing of the stamps will be held simultaneously in three parts of China.

The ceremonies will be held in Qufu, Confucius's birthplace, in

east China's Shandong Province, Luyi county, hometown of Lao Zi, in central China's Henan Province, and Minquan county, hometown of Zhuang Zhou, also in Henan.

Luyi and Minquan will also hold cultural and business activities for the two ancient philosophers.

(Xinhua 10/22/2000)