Special stamps to commemorate the state visit to the Philippines of China President Hu Jintao will be issued on his arrival on April 26, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said yesterday.


Romulo made the announcement at the signing of an agreement for the issuance of the commemorative stamps attended by Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) officials led by Postmaster General Dario Rama, Assistant Postmaster General Luis Carlos and Director Alfredo Gabot and the officers of Tulay Foundation Inc. led by its chairman Manuel O. Chua.

"The issuance of special stamps underscores the high level of importance we place on our relations with China," Secretary Romulo said in remarks at the ceremonies following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement among the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philpost and the Tulay Foundation Inc. on the issuance of the commemorative stamps.

The agreement, which outlines the assistance to be provided by the DFA, PhilPost and the Tulay Foundation Inc. in the printing and issuance of the special stamps, was signed by Secretary Romulo, Rama, and Chua.

"Preparations are well under way for the issuance of special stamps to commemorate the state visit of President Hu Jintao," Romulo said. "This endeavor highlights the vision shared by the Philippines and China that the visit will strengthen the new golden age of partnership in our 30 years of bilateral relations."

"Our relationship with China is one of our most valued ties. It is a relationship that has been shaped by centuries of interaction between the Filipinos and Chinese peoples," Romulo stressed.

He added that the relationship of the two countries " thrives and expands with these strong people-to-people linkages and on the basis of our mutual interests and mutual respect."

The commemorative stamps will be officially launched on April 27 during the state visit, Romulo said.

He thanked Postmaster General Rama and Chua for collaborating with the DFA for the stamp project.

Samples of the stamps were presented during the signing of the agreement. The design, however, will still be finalized before its printing and issuance by the Philpost.

Aside from the stamps, Philpost will also issue commemorative covers for the special stamps on President Hu Jintao’s visit.

President Hu’s visit reciprocates an earlier state visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Beijing last year.

President Hu and President Arroyo are expected to hold bilateral talks during the state visit to strengthen cultural, political, trade and historical relationships between China and the Philippines.

In his short talks, Romulo also took note of the plans for the joint development of the Spratlys by its claimants led by China and the Philippines.

Romulo recalled that it was then President Deng Xiaoping who initiated the joint development plans of the Spratlys. (David Cagahastian)