Expo provides an international insight

In addition to exhibitors from across the country, cultural and tourism institutes from 16 foreign countries took part, including from Algeria, Canada, South Africa, Thailand and Russia, all hoping to win a bigger share of the Chinese market.

"In addition to those carrying elements of the national paintings of the royal family, we are displaying stamps featuring laser-dot and woodblock printing technology, and paper-cut patterns," says Shi Chunhong, who works with the Philatelie Liechtenstein in China.

The booth had a magnifying glass that enabled visitors to see details like the eyelashes on the figures on the stamps.

Shi's team also came up with decorative items highlighting the stamps, such as paintings and porcelain, to appeal to visitors to the expo.

"The Chinese market shows relatively stronger demand, since it has a larger number of stamp collectors," Shi says, adding that an increasing number of non-philatelists are also showing interest in the stamps.