Date of Issue : 31 May 2004
Postmark : Kuala Lumpur
Deomination : 2 x 30 sen and 2 x RM1.00
Stamp Size : 30 mm x 40 mm
Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated
Printing Process : Lithography
The traditional friendship between Malaysia and China dates back centuries ago, when the great Chinese navigator Zheng He arrived in Malacca Sultanate during China's Ming Dynasty. The official diplomatic relationship was established in 1974 when Malaysia's second Prime Minister Abdul Razak bin Hussein, made a brave step by becoming the first member of the ASEAN to tie the knot with China, when its peers were held back by ideological differences. The stamps feature ships from Malaya and China, symbolising the start of the relationship between Malacca and China 600 years ago (30 sen se-tenant), a firm handshake, symbolising the close relationship between both countries (RM1.00) and a drawing of trade ship, symbolising the start of relations between both countries (RM1.00).