1 . Liu Xiangping, a Chinese-Canadian artist and stamp designer, recalls his remarkable experiences in designing the stamps which develop friendship between China and Canada.
It was 1997, the year when Hong Kong was returned to China, and Canada Post, along with the then-Hong Kong Postal Administration and China, celebrated the Chinese New Year with a stamp.
In January 2017, special 45-cent stamp designed by Liu and two other Chinese Canadian artists was issued. Since then, Canada Post has been issuing zodiac(属相) stamp for the Chinese Lunar New Year each year. “Many traditional customs related to the Chinese New Year are indeed transnational(跨国的). They are beyond political and cultural differences. They powerfully reflect the close connections of the overseas Chinese to their ethnic roots,” Liu said.
Liu said that what he was most proud of last year was the creation of a stamp for China Post on the theme of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
When China Post issued a set of special stamps in 2003 to mark the victory over SARS, Liu was one of the designers.
In January 2020, Liu left Toronto for Beijing. With the influence of COVID-19 drawing the attention of the entire country, China Post invited him once again to be one of two chief designers of a set of anti-pandemic-themed stamps.
On May 11, 2020, China Post issued the two stamps. One featured the phrase “Pursue Together, Combat the Pandemic” to pay admiration and respect to the Chinese people in the fight against the virus. Liu said the most important principle for the designs is to present the Chinese spirit of solidarity(团结) as well as that of human nature in tough times. “I tried to express the sense of perseverance, anxiety and sorrow at the same time through people’s eyes,” Liu said.
To memorize the centennial(百年纪念) of Norman Bethune’s birth and his accomplishments, Canada and China jointly issued a pair of commemorative stamps in 1990. Bethune devoted his life to medicine and humanitarianism in China in the late 1930s. Jean Morin and Wanda Lewicka of Canada designed the stamps, and Liu illustrated(加插图)them.
“The stamps are the product of close cooperation and cultural exchanges between Canada and China. They symbolize the fundamentals(基本原则) of the friendship between the two countries,” said Liu. “We’ll never forget that Chinese and Canadian people were committed to the common values of justice and peace in WWⅡ.”
1. When did Canada Post begin issuing a zodiac stamp for the Chinese Lunar New Year?| A．In 1997. | B．In 2003. | C．In 2017. | D．In 2020. |
| A．Wonderful. | B．Difficult. | C．Busy. | D．Common. |
| A．He designed a stamp to celebrate the Chinese New Year with a stamp in 1997. |
| B．He designed a stamp to honor the Chinese people fighting against the pandemic |
| C．He designed a set of special stamps in 2003 to mark the victory over SARS. |
| D．He designed the stamps to memorize the centennial of Norman Bethune’s birth. |
| A．Stamps develop friendship between Canada and China. |
| B．Stamps show cultural exchanges between Canada and China. |
| C．Liu Xiangping is a Chinese-Canadian artist and stamp designer. |
| D．Liu Xiangping enjoys designing stamps reflecting Chinese customs. |
