Photo taken on Feb. 9, 2026 shows MaltaPost's Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps in Valletta, Malta. MaltaPost on Monday unveiled its Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps in Valletta, marking the third consecutive year the country has issued stamps celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)

VALLETTA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- MaltaPost on Monday unveiled its Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps in Valletta, marking the third consecutive year the country has issued stamps celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The newly released stamp set features a design that blends traditional Chinese painting with modern visual concepts, conveying wishes for auspicious success, innovation and shared prosperity in the Year of the Horse.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Malta Zhang Zuo highlighted the close people-to-people exchanges and enduring friendship between the two countries. He noted that the horse symbolizes the spirit of forging ahead and carries blessings for collective advancement.

Malta's Ambassador to China John Busuttil delivered an online address, describing the stamp project as a vivid expression of bilateral friendship that helps the Maltese public gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of China's rich cultural heritage.

The Year of the Horse philatelic series includes two stamps, souvenir sheets, first-day covers and related products. ■

Photo taken on Feb. 9, 2026 shows MaltaPost's Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps in Valletta, Malta. MaltaPost on Monday unveiled its Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps in Valletta, marking the third consecutive year the country has issued stamps celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Feb. 9, 2026 shows MaltaPost's Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps in Valletta, Malta. MaltaPost on Monday unveiled its Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps in Valletta, marking the third consecutive year the country has issued stamps celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)