BEIJING,
March 26 (Xinhua) -- The emblem and mascot of the 2009 World Stamp Exhibition
were unveiled in China on Wednesday, under the theme "A gathering in the City of
Peonies".
The emblem, with a stamp-shaped blue background,
features an ancient city gate of Luoyang, the host city, below a blooming peony
with its seven petals in the shape of pigeons.
The emblem symbolizes the host city's long history,
profound culture and distinctive regional characteristics, according to the
sponsors.
The mascot, called the "Peony Messenger", is a flying
pink peony with a green message on its hand, which extends the host city's warm
welcome to guests from home and abroad.
According to the organizing committee, 63 countries
had applied to participate the seven-day exhibition with another 40 countries
and regions to come. The exhibition is to receive an estimated 600,000 visitors
from China and overseas.
Jointly sponsored by the State Post Bureau, the China
Post Group and the All China Philatelic Federation and the People's Government
of Henan Province, the 2009 World Stamp Exhibition willopen in Luoyang City,
Henan, on April 10, 2009.
