Hong Kong Tea Culture Special Stamps IssuedHong Kong Post issued Sunday the Hong Kong Tea Culture Special Stamps.At a ceremony held in the morning at the General Post Office, Allan Chiang, acting postmaster general and professor Yip Wai-man, life honorary president of Teaism Alliance Hong Kong marked the issue of the special stamps by stamping a blow-up first day cover. As a memento of the occasion, Chiang also presented to Yip and Tony Ho, designer of these special stamps, and Liliane Tsui, illustrator of these special stamps, framed stamps and first day covers. As far back as from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, tea has become a leisure drink for the Chinese. Being a melting pot of different cultures, Hong Kong has acquired a particular taste for tea drinking. For many, sharing a pot of tea with family and friends reaffirms the sense of community as it brings people together. It is not surprising at all that the fame of Hong Kong milk tea and local bistros travels afar. As for those who follow teaism, drinking tea is an art, a personal ritual that fosters relaxation and introspection. With Gongfu tea, the locally-brewed milk tea, "yum cha" ( drinking tea) culture and tea making as themes, the set of special stamps issued Sunday illustrates the diversity of tea culture in Hong Kong. The aroma of Jasmine tea has been added to these stamps during the printing process, making them the first-ever scented stamps issued in Hong Kong. A gentle rub on the stamp will release the aroma into the air. |
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