Twelve Chinese generals gathered for what was not a war party but rather a very serious calligraphic pen club meeting at a Beijing hotel on Monday.

The retired military leaders wrote the Chinese character for "dragon" in different styles during an activity to herald the upcoming Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. The event also celebrated the release of 12 gold-plated jade dragon stamps. They are replicas of Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) national treasures. Only 6,000 will be issued.