Photo taken on Feb. 12, 2025 shows a set of newly released Year of the Snake zodiac postage stamps in Valletta, Malta. MaltaPost unveiled these stamps here on Wednesday, marking the second consecutive year the country has issued stamps celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)

MaltaPost unveiled its Year of the Snake zodiac postage stamps on Wednesday in Valletta, marking the second consecutive year the country has issued stamps celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The newly released set of two stamps, designed by Maltese artist Fabio Agius and Chinese designer Fang Jun, showcases a unique blend of Maltese and Chinese cultural motifs.

Agius's design intricately weaves the sinuous form of a snake with Malta's iconic floral-patterned ceramic tiles, symbolizing the fusion of ancient heritage and contemporary artistry. Meanwhile, Fang's creation incorporates the traditional Chinese knot, a symbol of good fortune, alongside the "Eye of Horus," an ancient Maltese maritime emblem representing protection and safe voyages. Together, the designs embody the themes of growth, peace, and prosperity associated with the Wood Snake year in the Chinese zodiac.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, MaltaPost Chairman Joseph Said emphasized the stamps' cultural significance and their role in fostering international friendship. "I am confident that this philatelic initiative will strengthen cultural exchanges between Malta and China, bringing our nations even closer," he stated.

A parallel launch event was held in Beijing, co-organized by the Beijing Zodiac Philatelic Research Association and the Beijing Zodiac Culture Theme Post Office.

Yuan Xikun, director of the Beijing Jintai Art Museum, highlighted the growing global appreciation of zodiac culture as a bridge for cross-cultural dialogue. "The issuance of these stamps is not only a tribute to traditional Chinese culture but also a vivid reflection of the friendship and cooperation between our two nations," he said. "It will deepen the Maltese people's understanding of Chinese culture and inject new vitality into cultural exchanges between our countries."

Liao Hongyun, president of the Beijing Zodiac Philatelic Research Association, echoed these sentiments, describing the stamp issuance as a testament to the enduring friendship between China and Malta.

As a key advocate for Malta's zodiac stamp series, Chen Juheng, councilor of the Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce, noted that this marks the first time a Chinese designer's work has been featured in Malta's zodiac collection. He expressed hope for further postal collaborations to promote Chinese zodiac culture within Malta's philatelic community.