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Following is a speech by the Postmaster General, Mr Allan Chiang, at "Hong Kong Pop Singers" Special Stamps Issuing Ceremony today (November 18) (Translation):
Distinguished guests and friends from the media,
¡@¡@¡@¡@Good afternoon, welcome to the "Hong Kong Pop Singers" Special Stamps Issuing Ceremony, a salute to five late pop stars including Wong Ka Kui, Danny Chan, Roman Tam, Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui, who have left their mark on Canto pop history. First of all, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to their family members and fans for taking time to attend this ceremony. I am particularly grateful for your useful advice in the planning and design of this set of special stamps. Without your support, much of what we do here could not have operated so smoothly.
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¡@¡@¡@¡@Apart from postage prepayment, there are many ways these tiny stamps can work wonders. Take a sideways look at the giant stamp mosaic made with used stamps donated by our staff and 98 overseas postal administrations. You will be ready to concur with me that if creativity is put to good use, stamps could also make magic. Today, I am most excited to announce that the Guinness Book of World Records has just confirmed to us that this is the largest stamp mosaic in the world. We are proud to achieve a new world record for the territory. This avant-garde initiative demonstrates not only our team spirit and creativity, but also the solidarity among postal administrations, manifesting the one world partnership in the postal landscape.
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¡@¡@¡@¡@Historic events and lasting legends have long been the motifs of stamp. In the past two years, we have issued "The Successful Flight of China's First Manned Spacecraft" Special Stamps, "Centenary of The Birth of Deng Xiaoping" Special Stamps and a special mini-pane of Heartwarming Stamps to feature "Congratulations to the Hong Kong Team on Winning the Silver Medal in the Men's Table Tennis Doubles at the 2004 Olympic Games". To pay tribute to some of Hong Kong's greatest entertainers, "Hong Kong Movie Stars I" and "Hong Kong Movie Stars II" Special Stamps were issued. The rollout today is the first set of stamps ever issued by us to honour the great achievements of five late Canto pop singers.
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¡@¡@¡@¡@Capturing the hearts of many with their expressive and lyrical music, they are still fondly remembered by their devotees. The overwhelming appeal, both locally and overseas, must be said to the singers' credit. Their passion, steely wills, gritty determination and ability to translate musical sensitivity into impressive presentation made them legends of all times. It is known that music and postal communication has something in common. As a universal language, music and melody touch the heart of all peoples and bridges different faiths and cultures while postal communication brings people together regardless of the distance between them.
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¡@¡@¡@¡@Music and melody express and evoke emotion. When the language is that of music, it combines in a unique way with words. Hence, we produced our corporate song to sound out our aspiration for linking people and delivering business as we believe that music helps find the sole and essential inner support and solidarity in the words that are sung. Today, we are happy to share with you in the background music our corporate song together with the five late singers' signature songs. Let's enjoy ourselves in the wonderful trip down memory lane of their dazzling vocalism and disarming stage presence.
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¡@¡@¡@¡@Thank you.
Ends/Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:51
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