Britain returns 12 lost cultural relics and artworks to China

China News Service, London, September 24 (Reporter Ouyang Kaiyu) On September 23, local time, the handover ceremony for the UK to return 12 lost cultural relics and artworks to China was held at the Chinese Embassy in the UK. Rao Quan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, delivered a video speech. Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, and representatives from the London Metropolitan Police, the UK Department of Foreign Affairs and Development, the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe attended the ceremony.

On September 23, the handover ceremony for the return of 12 lost cultural relics and artworks from the UK to China was held at the Chinese Embassy in the UK. The picture shows the returned cultural relics and artworks. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China

China stated that promoting the return of lost cultural relics to their countries of origin is a just move to safeguard the security of cultural relics in various countries, respect the cultural rights and national sentiments of people of all countries, and protect the achievements of human civilization. This return of cultural relics is another important achievement for China and the UK to jointly implement relevant international conventions and protect cultural heritage. We look forward to taking this cooperation as an opportunity to work with the UK to implement the important consensus reached during the recent phone call between the two leaders, further promote cultural exchanges between the two countries, consolidate the public opinion foundation for China-UK relations, and contribute to the development of a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UK.

The British side stated that Prime Minister Burnham reiterated in his recent phone call with President Xi Jinping that the British side would strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields and develop a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership. This repatriation of cultural relics is a positive result of practical cooperation between the two countries, and also reflects the firm determination of both parties to respect each other and jointly combat illegal trafficking of cultural relics.

On September 23, the handover ceremony for the return of 12 lost cultural relics and artworks from the UK to China was held at the Chinese Embassy in the UK. The picture shows the returned cultural relics and artworks. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China

The 12 cultural relics and artworks returned from the UK were seized by the London Metropolitan Police during the handling of the case. Both China and the UK are parties to the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Illicit Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Within the framework of the Convention, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, through the Chinese Embassy in the UK, worked closely with the British side to successfully achieve the return of the above-mentioned cultural relics and artworks. (over)