In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mexico, a grand ceremony was held in the Embassy of Mexico in China on February 14, accompanied with the launch ceremony of the commemorative stamps with the same theme. Mr. Jesús Seade Kuri, ambassador of Mexico in China, Qiu xiaoqi, special representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American affairs, and leaders from China Post Group Corporation Limited attended the activity.

Mr. Jesús Seade Kuri said in his speech, it is not only Valentine’s Day today, but also a big day marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mexico, and people get together to attend the launch ceremony of the exquisite commemorative stamps jointly issued by the postal services of the two countries. This set of stamps delicately displays the ancient cultural relics of the two countries — Astro Observatory and Kukulcan Pyramid. The stamps reflect the interaction between Chinese and Mexican culture essence via vivid visual effects and highlights the unity and cooperation, trade exchanges and mutual respect between the two peoples.

Joint issuance of stamps by China and foreign countries is an important means to record major diplomatic events and diplomatic achievements of the country, and has special significance of recording the history of the nation and building a bridge of friendship between countries, China Post stated. The stamps jointly issued this time display the long history and brilliant culture of the two countries and will promote the mutual learning between two civilizations, increase the cultural exchanges and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The stamps will definitely further build up the friendship and push forward the cooperation between China and Mexico.

Rocío Bárcena Molina, General Director of Correos de Mexico, attended the ceremony via video. She said, stamps issued by a country’s post serve as the cultural ambassador, showing the world the political, economic, cultural and social development of a country. What she said coincides with China’s proposition that “postage stamps are international expressions, national business cards, important vehicle for cultural inheritance and event witnesses”.

The video of Kukulcan Pyramid and Dengfeng Astro Observatory was also played at the scene. Located in the north of Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Kukulcan Pyramid is one of the important sites of ancient Mayan civilization in Mexico and is considered the acme of Mayan civilization. The Astro Observatory lies in Gaocheng town, Dengfeng, Henan Province, which was built under the supervision of Guo Shoujing. It is the oldest and well protected observatory in China, highlighting the outstanding achievements of ancient Chinese scientists in astronomy. Dengfeng Astro Observatory and the Kukulcan Pyramid, more than a thousand years apart, are artistically presented on the jointly issued stamps, which symbolizes the dialogue between the important cultural heritages of China and Mexico and offers inspirations to both Chinese civilization and Mayan civilization.

At the ceremony, the two sides unveiled the commemorative stamps of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mexico and the First Day Cover together, and exchanged mementos with the same theme.

It is said, China and Mexico jointly issued special stamps of Mount Konka and Mount Popocatépetl in 2007 to display the distinctive natural beauty of the two countries. China and Mexico’s joining hands to issue stamps again this time marks the further deepening of friendly relations, the further development of cultural exchanges and the further promotion of friendly postal cooperation between the two countries.