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Following is the speech by the Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping Chuen, at the "Hong Kong Museums and Libraries" Special Stamps Issuing Ceremony today (March 26):

Mr Leung, distinguished guests and friends from the media,

Welcome to the issuing ceremony of the "Hong Kong Museums and Libraries" special stamp issue. I would like to extend our special thanks to Mr Paul Leung, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, for officiating today's ceremony.

The special stamps we issued today focus on the cultural development of Hong Kong and mark the opening of four cultural venues. We are really thrilled that Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence and Hong Kong Museum of History will soon open for the public. Hongkong Post has been a keen supporter for local cultural activities. Actually we set up Postal Gallery last year to provide an exhibition venue for displaying local stamps and postal items of historical value. The design of these special stamps highlights the outlook of the four venues and the Chinese characters meaning "culture", "book", "sea" and "history", describe their respective theme. It is the first set of triangular stamps ever issued in Hong Kong. We hope by introducing these innovative products, we can bring philatelists more nice surprises and enrich their collections.

Last of all, I hope you like "Hong Kong Museums and Libraries" triangular special stamps.

Thank you.

End/Sunday, March 26, 2000

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