The Salvation Army’s ministry opened in mainland China in 1916 and quickly expanded across the northern and eastern provinces until 1949, when it withdrew from the mainland.  The cover below is an official SA cachet from the first period.

Ministry and social services were retained in Hong Kong. In 1985, at the invitation of the Yunnan Provincial Government, The Salvation Army provided disaster relief and recovery in mainland China. This opened the door to further collaborations and partnerships which resulted in a wide geographical distribution of service and a greater recognition of the organization’s presence. Below is a cover commemorating the commencement of the SA’s work in China.

Source: Salvation Army in Mainland China Receives Official Recognition and Registration