18 March 2005 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo announced that the Philippines will issue special stamps to commemorate the state visit to the Philippines of President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China from 26-28 April 2005.

“The issuance of special stamps underscores the high level of importance we place on our relations with China,” Secretary Romulo said in remarks at simple ceremonies in the DFA following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement among the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Postal Corporation 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, Mr. Dario Rama, Postmaster General and CEO of PhilPost and Mr. Manuel O. Chua, Chairman, Tulay Foundation, Inc.

“Preparations are well underway for the issuance of special stamps to commemorate the state visit” of President Hu Jintao, Secretary Romulo said as he stressed that “this endeavor highlights the vision shared by the Philippines and China that the visit will strengthen the new golden age of partnership in our thirty years of bilateral relations.”

The Secretary informed his guests that:  “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.   It is a relationship that thrives and expands with these strong people-to-people linkages and on the basis of our mutual interests and mutual respect.”

The stamps will be officially launched on 27 April 2005, at the height of the state visit, the Secretary said.   He thanked Postmaster General Dario and Mr. Chuan for collaborating with the Department for this noteworthy project. END
 

/jay