A special stamp issue with the theme of "Children's Stamps -- Dress Bear Up" would be issued on March 30, said the Postmaster General Allan Chiang here Monday.

Each of the six stamps portray the winning entries submitted by children who entered a 2004 competition to design stamps.

Showing great imagination and ingenuity, the young artists made use of a wide spectrum of materials to produce delightful designs that exuded natural charm. Six of these cuddlesome bears are now featured in this "Dress Bear Up" stamp issue.

The 1.40 HK dollars stamp, by Lee Yuen-ching, features Mrs. Bear dressed in a dark-coloured Hakka costume matched with a draped cloth hat; The 1.80 HK dollars Miss Bear, radiating happiness in her traditional Chinese wedding gown. This is the product of Lam Sheung-nam; Sweetie Bear saunters merrily through the meadow in a pleated sundress, savoring her lollipop on the 2.40 HK dollars stamp designed by Chow Chun-hin.

The other three stamps include 2.50 HK dollars, 3 HK dollars and 5 HK dollars. The First Day Cover features Cuddly Bear floating on a puffy white cloud against a soft backdrop of blue sky which contrasts with the brightly colored title of this special stamp issue.

Commenting on this special stamp issue, Chiang said the stamp competition was introduced to stimulate children's interest in stamp collection.

"It is gratifying to see Hong Kong's youth taking an interest in stamps as a healthy and educational hobby and using their intellect and their ability to create such impressive art," Chiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2006)