Stamps retain seal of approval

Global celebration

The exhibition, which ran for five days, saw a remarkable turnout. According to the All-China Philatelic Federation, one of the event's coorganizers, the daily visitor numbers consistently reached capacity. Attendees came from across China and around the world, many of them passionate collectors who viewed the event as an opportunity to connect, learn and expand their collections. While the crowds were predominantly middle-aged and older, younger faces were also visible, underscoring the intergenerational appeal of philately.

"Stamp collecting is an important way for people from all over the world to exchange cultures and ideas," said Liu Wei, China's Transport Minister, at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

"As a country with a rich philatelic culture, China continues to innovate and expand the influence of philately both domestically and internationally," Liu added.

Philately in China had experienced something of a renaissance, particularly after the 1980 release of the famous "Monkey Stamp", which remains highly valued by collectors today. However, experts suggest that the number of active stamp collectors in China has gradually declined in recent years, likely due to the increasing dominance of digital communication.

Prakob Chirakiti, president of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately, acknowledged that while the volume of physical letters may have decreased, the emotional and cultural significance of handwritten letters and stamps has not diminished.

"It's different when you hold a handwritten letter from your mother, compared to just receiving a text," Chirakiti said.

"Stamps, in a way, serve as ambassadors — they tell stories."

For instance, China uses stamps to showcase its technological and architectural achievements, while Japan highlights its food culture and cartoons.

Chirakiti emphasized that philately remains an important medium of cultural exchange, especially in Asia, where the practice has flourished over the past several decades. Even in an age of digital communication, stamps continued to serve as powerful cultural symbols, connecting people across borders and offering a tangible link to history.

Benjamin Combes, philately development and documentary heritage program manager at the Universal Postal Union, agreed, noting that stamps are an effective vector for communication.

"They are a way to connect all levels of society — from industries to the environment — and they bring happiness and well-being to the people," he said. Combes also noted that philately transcends borders. "It's a universal language, a way of sharing stories and culture across all levels of society. It passes on the same messages, over and over again, bridging cultures and time."

Despite the challenges posed by digital communication, the future of philately appears secure, thanks to the efforts of collectors, designers and postal organizations. Combes noted that the stamp industry continues to evolve, adapting to new technologies like non-fungible tokens and digital stamps.

"We've seen the volume of physical letters drop in recent years, but the passion for philately remains strong," Combes said. "We are working to bring stamps into the digital age, making them accessible to a new generation of collectors through apps and other platforms."