The State Post Bureau of China issued special stamps Friday commemorating tsunami relief in south and southeast Asia.

The stamps show the Chinese people's efforts to help the tsunami victims and the effected areas.

At the issuing ceremony, the head of State Post Bureau donated two million yuan (US$240,964) to the Chinese Red Cross Association for tsunami victims on behalf of the staff of post offices across the country.

Chinese post bureaus have decided to forgive the postage for tsunami donations since Jan. 1, 2005. The total donation through mail has passed five million yuan (US$602,410).

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2005)