A set of four stamps marking the Year of the Rabbit, with the inspiration from Chinese paper-cutting, is pictured at the China Cultural Center in Fiji in Suva Jan. 18, 2023. The China Cultural Center in Fiji and Post Fiji jointly launched the Year of the Rabbit stamps on Wednesday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 22. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)
SUVA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The China Cultural Center in Fiji and Post Fiji jointly launched the Year of the Rabbit stamps on Wednesday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Speaking at the launching ceremony in the China Cultural Center in Fiji, Wang Xuguang, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, said that rabbit represents hope and vitality in Chinese cultural tradition.
Not long ago, the Chinese government optimized its COVID-19 strategy to facilitate the exchange between Chinese and foreign people, Wang said, adding that more Chinese people will travel abroad in the new year.
He also expressed the hope that the cultural exchanges between China and Fiji will be more colorful in the Year of the Rabbit, so as to provide a stronger impetus for the friendly relations between the two countries.
For his part, Collin Yabaki, director of the Department of Culture, Heritage and Arts, said that the relations between China and Fiji have been strengthened over the past year.
The cultural exchanges have benefited the two countries in many ways, and the unveiling of the Year of the Rabbit stamps will further promote the cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries, Yabaki said.
Han Xiaoyan, director of the China Cultural Center in Fiji, said that cultural exchange and cooperation is a bridge which will strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples.
As longstanding business partners over the past years, the China Cultural Center in Fiji and Post Fiji have worked together to issue the Chinese Zodiac stamps since 2016, which is a true testimony of friendship between the two countries, Han said.
According to Han, the stamps have been designed mainly by Guo Zhiyi, a famous stamp designer from the China Post. With the inspiration from Chinese paper-cutting, the stamps depict four propitious rabbits by combining the Chinese culture of zodiac with traditional Fijian culture. ■
Guests pose for a group photo during the launching ceremony of the Year of the Rabbit stamps at the China Cultural Center in Fiji in Suva Jan. 18, 2023. The China Cultural Center in Fiji and Post Fiji jointly launched the Year of the Rabbit stamps on Wednesday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 22. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)
People shop during the launching ceremony of the Year of the Rabbit stamps at the China Cultural Center in Fiji in Suva Jan. 18, 2023. The China Cultural Center in Fiji and Post Fiji jointly launched the Year of the Rabbit stamps on Wednesday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 22. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)
Collin Yabaki (L), director of the Department of Culture, Heritage and Arts of Fiji, and Wang Xuguang, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, pose for a photo during the launching ceremony of the Year of the Rabbit stamps at the China Cultural Center in Fiji in Suva Jan. 18, 2023. The China Cultural Center in Fiji and Post Fiji jointly launched the Year of the Rabbit stamps on Wednesday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 22. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)