Stamps issued to mark handover of Olympic Flag

(BEIJING, August 24) -- China and Britain are selling a set of four stamps to commemorate the handover of the Olympic Flag.

With Olympic rings on the background, the stamps feature landmark buildings in the capital cities of the two countries, such as the National Stadium (the "Bird's Nest"), the Corner Tower of the Forbidden City, the Millennium Wheel and the Tower of London respectively.

Royal Mail said the issue would celebrate "wonderful Games" and "whet" people's "appetite" for what is to come – London will host the next Olympics in 2012.

The Olympic Flag will be handed over at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, August 24. Footballer David Beckham, singer Leona Lewis and Led Zeppelin, guitarist Jimmy Page will be among the celebrities representing London at the ceremony, BBC said.

To watch the scene of the handover, 13 cities in Britain will hold parties under the large-size TV screens and 40,000 people are expected to gather in London for the event.