At the invitation of the All-China Philatelic Federation (ACPF), Dr. PrakobChirakiti,President of the International Federation of Philately (FIP), and Mr. Tay Peng Hian, Honorary President of the FIP, visited Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, from January 5 to 7, to attend Suzhou 2024 All-China Shengxiao Philatelic Exhibition and Suzhou International Shengxiao Philatelic Forum, which were organized by the ACPF. The visiting delegation was accompanied by Mr. Zhao Xiaoguang, Executive Vice President of the ACPF, and Ms. Gao Hongtao, Vice President of the ACPF and Vice President of the Federation of Inter-AsianPhilately(FIAP).

On the morning of January 5, the Opening Ceremony of the Suzhou 2024 All-China Shengxiao Philatelic Exhibition and the IssuranceCeremony ofthe Year of the Dragon Stamps were held at the Taohuawu Art Museum, with a total of 191competing exhibits in 462 frames in 12 classes on display. Dr. Prakob was invited to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony. The philatelic exhibition was unveiled by Dr. Prakob, Mr. Tay Peng Hian and the Chinese guests. In his speech, Dr. Prakobsaid that the Chinese postal sector has successfully integrated Shengxiao, a traditional cultural symbol, into the stamps and formed stamp series. This way of combining traditional elements with modern market and integrating cultural heritage with philatelic development has been widely recognized and studied by other countries (regions). He expressed his cordial wishes for the success ofSuzhou 2024 All-China Shengxiao Philatelic Exhibition and the prosperousdevelopment of the Chinese Shengxiao philatelic culture.

Dr. Prakob, Mr. Tay and the Chinese Guests Unveil the Philatelic Exhibition.

Dr. PrakobDelivers a Speech at the Opening Ceremony.

After the opening ceremony, Dr. Prakob and Mr. Tay visited the exhibition area of the exhibits in the competitive class with great interestas well asfour non-competitive exhibitions: Chinese ShengxiaoStamp , Early ShengxiaoStamp in the Worldn, World Dragon Shengxiao Stampand Shengxiao Culture on Diplomatic Covers. They were warmly welcomed by China’s stamp collectors along the way.

Dr. Prakob and Mr. Tay Visiting the Exhibition

In the afternoon, Mr. Zhao Xiaoguang accompanied Dr. Prakob and Mr. Tay to visit Suzhou Jingfan Middle School, a national demonstration base for juvenile philatelic activities. They inspected the popularization of juvenile philatelic education carried out by the school since 1984, visitedthe philatelic classroom of the school, and had on-site exchanges and interactions with the students.

Dr. PrakobAnswering Students' Questions

On the evening of January 5, Dr. Prakob and Mr. Tay attended the ShengxiaoPhilatelic Carnival organized by the Shengxiao Philately Society.Together with the Chinese guests, they dotted the eyes of the dancing dragon, which symbolize prayers and blessings. Diversified activities such as auction of stamps and cultural and art performances were held during the event.

Dr. Prakob and Mr. Tay Attending the ShengxiaoPhilatelic Carnival

Dr. Prakob,Mr. Tay and Mr. Zhao XiaoguangDotting the Eyes ofthe Dragon

On January 6, Dr. Prakob and Mr. Tay were invited to participate in the International ShengxiaoPhilatelic Forum withthe theme of "Inheritance and Dissemination of Shengxiao Philatelic Culture" held at the Digital Economy Innovation Center of the Yangtze River Delta in Suzhou. A number of philatelic experts from the ACPF, China Post, Shengxiao Philately Society, China Philatelic Association of Hong Kong SAR, the Macao Philatelic Club, Liechtenstein Post and Shengxiao philatelic experts discussed the patterns and characteristics of the issuance of Shengxiaostamp, the international influence and development trend of Shengxiao stamp the Shengxiao philately and other related topics. Mr. Tay was invited to deliver a keynote speech on "Shengxiao Philately Originated from China, But Belongs to the World".

Dr. PrakobDelivers a Speech.

Mr. Tay Delivers a Speech.

Chinese Shengxiaoculture has a deep cultural foundation and a wide collector base in China. Since China Post issued the first Shengxiao stamp in 1980, every year at the beginning of the year when the Shengxiao stamp is issued, philatelic associations all over the country have organized and carried out a variety of Shengxiao philatelic activities, which are very popular among Chinese philatelists. As early as 1997, Suzhou founded the Shengxiao Philatelic Research Society, published a large number ofShengxiao philatelic publications, and established the world's first and currently the only Shengxiao Philatelic Museum. Suzhou has held the Shengxiao stamp issurance events for 21 consecutive years and Shengxiao philatelic exhibitions for 10 consecutive years, making significant contributions to the inheritance and dissemination of Chinese Shengxiao philatelic culture.