By love-89.com On October 18, a commemorative stamp marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France was jointly issued by China Post and La Poste in France. The stamp was also released on the same day in China.
At a ceremony held in Paris, the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires in France, Chen Dong, and the General Manager of La Poste’s European International Affairs, Fuchsvel, attended the first-day release. The French edition of the commemorative stamp features two designs, valued at €1.29 and €1.96 respectively, showcasing China’s Mount Tai and France’s Mont Saint-Michel, with a total print run of 420,000 sets. Additionally, La Poste released a special stamp paper that includes not only the French stamps but also two stamps from China Post featuring the same designs.
In his speech, Chen Dong highlighted the significance of choosing Mont Saint-Michel and Mount Tai as symbolic representations of both countries. Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, is renowned for its historical architecture and picturesque scenery, encompassing a medieval complex of rocks, buildings, walls, castles, and monasteries that reflect both nature’s artistry and human ingenuity. Meanwhile, Mount Tai, revered as a cultural and sacred mountain, embodies the spirit of resilience and determination of the Chinese people, also earning its place as China’s first site recognized as a dual World Heritage site for both culture and nature.
Chen noted that in 1997, the cities of Tai’an, where Mount Tai is located, and Mont Saint-Michel established a sister-city relationship. In 2022, they furthered their bond by forming “friendly mountain” ties. Cultural exchange events between Tai’an and Mont Saint-Michel occurred in March and July of this year, greatly enhancing collaboration in tourism, trade, and cultural initiatives, setting an exemplary model for local exchanges and cultural interactions between China and France. Despite being separated by thousands of miles, the cultural significance of Mont Saint-Michel and Mount Tai shines and nourishes both nations, mirroring the values of their respective civilizations and peoples.
French stamp designer Sandrine Chambault, a co-designer of the stamps, showcased the designs at the ceremony and signed stamps for attendees. With a portfolio that includes dozens of stamp designs for La Poste, she expressed her joy in creating a stamp to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, utilizing traditional Chinese painting techniques and pen watercolor to capture the beauty of these iconic sites.