On October 12th, the “Future Classroom – Exploring the World of Stamps” event took place at the China Post Stamp Museum in Beijing. Organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the China National Philatelic Federation, the event attracted over 50 elementary school students from Beijing.

Participants had the opportunity to visit the special exhibition “Remembering Our Original Mission and Advancing on a New Journey,” as well as the permanent collection at the museum. During the event, they engaged in a session with Dong Qi, a senior arts and crafts artist, stamp designer, and engraver, who led discussions and interactive activities.

In the “Little Stamp Designers” segment, students were divided into eight groups, each tasked with designing stamps based on themes such as “Central Axis,” “Zodiac,” and “Chinese Aviation.” They presented their creations and shared their thought processes on stage. Dong remarked that the students’ creativity inspired her own artistic ideas.

“Traditionally, stamps were mainly for mail delivery; however, they have now evolved into cultural carriers that enrich people’s cultural life and foster international cultural exchange,” Dong explained. She highlighted that stamps, which have undergone nearly 200 years of development, document the progress of the times and the achievements of the nation, making them deserving of the title “national business cards.”

Wang Chenhan, a fourth grader from Cuiwei Primary School, took the stage with his group to present their stamp project featuring the Zodiac dragon. The design was inspired by Han dynasty bricks and mimicked the form of rubbings, all hand-painted using traditional Chinese painting techniques. Though the lines were slightly rough, the design showcased the child’s vivid imagination and respect for traditional culture.

“I learned a lot about the history, design, and production of stamps today,” Wang remarked. “This is my first experience with stamps, and I feel both curious and in awe of these little pieces of paper that hold rich cultural secrets.”

The “Future Classroom” initiative, launched by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, aims to fulfill the fundamental educational mission of nurturing talents for the Party and the country. Since its inception in 2018, the program has held over 400 activities both online and offline, striving to cultivate well-rounded, new-era youth.

This session marked the first time the “Future Classroom” focused specifically on stamps, with the goal of using them to tell compelling stories about China to young people. The initiative encourages students to understand their country’s history, appreciate Chinese culture, inherit revolutionary ideals, and celebrate patriotism.