Bing-Wu Year special stamp set unveiled in Beijing

A launch ceremony for the Bing-Wu Year (Year of the Horse) special stamp set was held at the International Conference Hall of People's Daily on Jan. 5, 2026. The official issuance of this stamp set marked the beginning of the celebrations for the upcoming Lunar New Year in the Year of the Horse.

At the ceremony, Zheng Guoyu, general manager of China Post Group Co., Ltd., presented the No. 01 stamp sheet of the Bing-Wu Year special stamp set to the China National Archives of Publications and Culture for permanent collection.

Unveiling ceremony of the Bing-Wu Year special stamp set. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

Zodiac stamp designs draw on the collective wisdom of the people

The Bing-Wu Year special stamp set consists of two stamps. The first, titled "Galloping Toward Grand Aspirations," features a crimson steed galloping through auspicious clouds, its mane ablaze and hooves surging with momentum, expressing best wishes that, in the new year, China's social and economic development will continue to make steady and sustained progress and press ahead toward the main goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). The second, titled "Myriad Steeds Heralding Blessings," depicts three spirited horses in full stride amid auspicious patterns, symbolizing the people of all ethnic groups across the country pooling tremendous strength and working in unity on the journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Bing-Wu Year special stamp set. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

The release of the Bing-Wu Year special stamp set is an innovative outcome of China Post's commitment to the people-centered approach of "culture for the people," drawing on the wisdom and creativity of the public. From the open call for designs, China Post mobilized broad public participation, attracting renowned artists, leading industry figures and talented enthusiasts nationwide. Through a dual-track review combining public voting and expert assessment, the winning designs were selected from 440 submissions. During production, China Post used high-precision engraving techniques to render the artwork, ultimately issuing a stamp set that blends artistic merit, cultural depth and popular appeal. This pioneering move in the design model for Chinese zodiac stamps stands as a vivid example of the principle that cultural development is for the people, relies on the people, and its fruits are shared by the people.

Meticulous craftsmanship wins expert acclaim

At the event, cultural scholar Ma Weidu, stamp designer Yan Bingwu and stamp engraver Xu Zhe introduced, respectively, zodiac culture, the design of Chinese zodiac stamps and stamp production techniques, offering a multi-angle look at the history of Chinese zodiac stamps and the full process of turning a stamp "from concept to finished product."

Produced to high standards as a "national calling card," the stamp set serves as a medium through which China Post shares China's fine traditional culture with the world. Experts and scholars including Tian Zhongli, president of the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, and Ma Sai, former dean of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, spoke highly of the Bing-Wu Year special stamps, noting that they both preserve the rich heritage of zodiac culture and incorporate contemporary aesthetics and the spirit of the times—a representative example of innovative expression of traditional culture.

Stamp designer Yan Bingwu presents the Bing-Wu Year special stamps at the event. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

China Post empowers cultural industry development

On the day of the event, China Post, together with the postal administrations of Hong Kong and Macao, jointly unveiled a set of sheets featuring the Bing-Wu Year. Also released were the Bing-Wu Year zodiac commemorative medal designed for China Post by Wu Weishan, a member of the Standing Committee and deputy secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee, and vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, as well as a series of Year of the Horse–themed products across China Post's business lines, including philately, cultural and creative products, banking, insurance and delivery services.

By integrating resources across philately, cultural and creative industries, finance and delivery services, and using stamps as a bond, China Post is promoting intangible cultural heritage preservation, advancing the integration of culture and tourism, and strengthening industrial linkage, helping build a philatelic cultural industry ecosystem and injecting new impetus into efforts to invigorate China's fine traditional culture.

The Bing-Wu Year joint souvenir pack, jointly issued by China Post, Hong Kong Post and Macao Post and Telecommunications, is unveiled at the event. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

Available nationwide through multiple online and offline channels

The Bing-Wu Year special stamp set was designed by Wang Hongwei and Zhao Enzhong, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing House Co., Ltd. using a combination of offset printing and engraving techniques. With a total face value of 2.4 yuan ($0.34), the set is scheduled for an issuance of 26.68 million sets, along with 1.62 million sheets (Format II) and 2.8 million stamp booklets.

Starting from Jan. 5, 2026, the Bing-Wu Year special stamp set became available at designated postal outlets nationwide and through China Post's online channels, including the China Post Online Business Hall, the China Post App, the Weiyouju WeChat official account, and the China Post Mall WeChat mini program.