Chinese people believe the golden ox brings happiness, and that family harmony brings prosperity. On the morning of September 1^st, the printing ceremony of the Year of Xinchou special stamps was held in the workshop of the Postage Stamp Printing Bureau of China Post Group Corporation Limited (hereinafter referred to as China Post Group). Liu Aili, the Chairman and Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group of China Post Group, Fan Di’an, President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Chairman of the China Artists Association, Yao Zhonghua, the famous painter and designer of the fourth round zodiac stamps, Chen Shaohua, the famous graphic designer, and Qi Xiuhua, the representative inheritor of Shandong intangible cultural heritage jointly unveiled the drafts for the Year of Xinchou special stamps at the printing ceremony, and formally started the production of the ox stamps. Kang Ning, Vice President of China Post Group Co., Ltd, and Yao Zhonghua delivered speeches respectively. Kang Ning presented Yao Zhonghua with the certificate of collection. The event was broadcast synchronously via v.people.cn, Xinhua cloud live broadcast, CCTV news new media, the WeChat applet "Encyclopedia of Chinese Philately and Stamps", Go-Yunnan APP and WeChat public account of China Post.

Kang Ning said in his speech that the stamp is the name card of the country. Stamps play an important role in commemorating major social events, promoting the fine culture of the nation, highlighting the themes of the times and spreading positive energy among people. In honor of the strength and the powerful images of the Chinese people in the struggle against COVID-19, China Post released a series of special stamps themed with "Fight against the Epidemic with Unified Strength", of which the total income of 43 million yuan was donated to the fight against the epidemic. Souvenir folders with the same theme were donated to 300,000 frontline medical workers. While doing a good job in the epidemic containment and the resumption of work and production, China Post has always remained true to the original aspiration and kept the mission firmly in mind --- "People's post serves the people", and delivered beautiful messages everywhere.

The same is true with Chinese zodiac stamps, which are not only the emotional sustenance bearing the New Year blessings, but also name cards introducing Chinese culture to the world. Annual zodiac stamps always carry infinite charm and inspire people's yearning for a better life. The fourth round of the Chinese Year of Xinchou special stamps, a set of two stamps, continue to carry the idea of "Nation-Family", with each respectively showing the expectations of the country and earnest hopes of the family, combined to convey full blessings of the New Year.

In his speech, Yao Zhonghua reviewed the history of the Chinese zodiac culture, introduced his experience of creating the first set of zodiac ox stamps, and described the design features of the Year of Xinchou special stamps. He said, everyone is closely connected with the zodiac from the moment of birth. Stamps are the "name card of the country" and important carrier of the national culture and spirit of the people. In terms of temperament, the ox is the most closely connected with the land among twelve Chinese zodiac animals. This set of 2 ox stamps are intended to express the vitality and diligence of the Chinese people.

It’s reported that the Year of Xinchou special stamps are the sixth set in the fourth round of the Chinese zodiac series and are created by the renowned painter Yao Zhonghua. The first stamp, named "Working with Stamina and Diligence", depicts the heroic, powerful and indomitable image of the running bull. The image of the bull with its four hoofs raised, head up forward, and eyes flashing, symbolizes the Chinese people’s tireless efforts to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in spite of dangers and hardships. The second one, with the name of "Happy New Year of the Ox", depicts the heart-warming image of the deep love between the mommy cow and the baby calf, and extends the best wishes of a prosperous, harmonious and happy family to the people all over the country.

The event also starts two programs, namely, China Post 2021 New Stamps Reservation, and China Post 2021 Year of Xinchou  Cultural Creative Contest and Zodiac Stamp Intellectual Property (IP) Right Authorization. Han Meilin, famous artist, Chemi Dorjee, “Role Model of the Times”, Liu Xiao Ling Tong, performing artist, Marbury, the basketball celebrity, and other people from all sectors of society sent their wishes and expectations for the Year of the Ox.

It is reported that in 2021, China Post will continue to adhere to the issuance principle of special and commemorative stamps to control stamp circulation by moderately tightening issuance quantity. Thus there will be a minor reduction of stamps in 2021, of which the planned circulation of the Year of Xinchou special stamps of all formats will be lower than last year.

The Year of Xinchou special stamps will go on sale on Jan 5, 2021.

Liu Aili (second from right), Fan Di’an (second from left), Yao Zhonghua (third from left), Chen Shaohua (first from right) and Qi Xiuhua (first from left) jointly unveil the drafts of the “Year of Xinchou” special stamps.

Liu Aili launches the printing process of the "Year of Xinchou" special stamps.

Kang Ning presents Yao Zhonghua with the certificate of collection.

Drafts of the “Year of Xinchou” special stamps

Yao Zhonghua and the leader of the Postage Stamp Printing Bureau of China Post Group Corporation Limited jointly sign the stamp proofs of the "Year of Xinchou" special stamps.