China on Saturday issued the last set of stamps depicting the role of Beijing Opera at the capital's Meilanfang Grand Theater.

The six stamps feature the Jing role, one of the famed opera's four main characters. Jing, most often a male, are the face-painted roles representing warriors, heroes, statesmen and adventurers in the dramas. The set is worth 6.8 yuan (0.94 U.S. dollar). Each depicts a famous figure in traditional opera works. Deng Huiguo of the China Post Group's stamp circulation section, said at the debut ceremony that the opera stamps presented the distinctive charm of traditional Chinese culture and created a humanistic Olympic atmosphere. The Beijing Games take place in August.

With a history of about 200 years, Beijing Opera is distinctively Chinese. Previously, stamps were issued featuring the opera's Sheng, Dan and Chou roles.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2008)