This stamp is being released in France for the Year of the Monkey. [Photo/China.com.cn]

France

France will issue its stamps for the Year of the Monkey in late Jan 2016, the last set in its Chinese zodiac series. The collection began when it issued the first series for the Year of the Rooster in 2003.

The stamp for 2016 includes a single stamp and sets of five stamps.

The year 2016 belongs to the category of "fire" in Chinese traditional culture. The Chinese character for monkey has a similar pronunciation with the one for "observe", referring to the intelligence and wit of this animal.