On November 6, China Post issued a set of two commemorative stamps entitled The 50th Anniversary of China-Samoa Diplomatic Relations. The stamp designs are named Crossoptilon crossoptilon and Didunculus strigirostris.

The Independent State of Samoa (hereinafter referred to as Samoa) is one of the first Pacific island countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties half a century ago, China and Samoa, with a long history of friendly exchanges, have always practiced mutual respect, treated each other as equals, and pursued win-win cooperation.

The two stamps take the characteristic birds of the two countries as the core design elements, and blend techniques of Western fountain pen lines and Eastern light colors, with the delicate and expressive strokes making the images vivid and lifelike. The set of stamps not only showcases the unique natural and ecological beauty of both countries but also conveys the profound inheritance and bright future of the bilateral friendship. The first stamp features crossoptilon crossoptilon (white-eared pheasant). As a major protected species in the important bird habitat of Mosika Nature Reserve in Danba county, Sichuan province, white-eared pheasants have become a vibrant symbol of the natural ecology in Danba, where the unique plateau climate and suitable ecological environment provide an ideal habitat for the white-eared pheasants. The second stamp features didunculus strigirostris (tooth-billed pigeon). As a bird species endemic to Samoa, tooth-billed pigeons are not only an integral part of the local ecosystem and are also regarded as a symbol of Samoa’s natural and cultural heritage, embodying Samoans’ deep affection and reverence for their homeland.

This set of stamps is printed using offset printing technology with high definition and vibrant colors, which makes the designs rich in texture and prominent in themes. Under ultraviolet light, the birds fluoresce brilliantly, and the fluorescence enhances the aesthetic appeal and also anti-counterfeiting properties of the stamps. The set of stamps is designed by Wang Guozheng, edited by Wang Nan, and printed with offset technology by Beijing Stamp Printing House Company Limited. The denomination of the whole set is 2.40 yuan, and the planned circulation is 4.5 million sets.