1997 -eh? Wouldn’t that be the year of Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s trade mission to China? I think you just stumbled on the motivating factor to produce the series of stamps. There has to be some reason given for any decision within a government office. My main idea is really how ordinary it is seems for Canada to have a Chinese New Year stamp.

During the 2006 Sino-African summit held in Beijing, the city was overflowing with billboards to welcome delegates. Imagery of tight bonds between Africa and China are not usual within China, regardless of the relationship between China and African nations.

It may have been a token symbolic gesture for the Chretien government to issue that stamp. For all I know, Canada Post may have independently chosen to run those stamps because it was topical and economically viable by being popular for collectors. I think it’s cool that, while most other countries would probably require a special reason to run a stamp like this one, Canadians need no special reason.

I know that in the past the Vancouver Sun has reported on a movement to have the Chinese New Year declared a public holiday. This movement may be too small, but I can’t imagine such a movement existing in most other countries. I think it reflects a deep relationship between our two countries, that transcends beyond merely the realm of politics.