US returns 64 smuggled Chinese cultural artefacts and fossils to Beijing

The United States has returned 64 smuggled cultural artefacts and fossils to China across two separate ceremonies this week, in what Beijing has characterised as tangible evidence of productive bilateral cooperation ahead of anticipated high-level diplomatic engagement.

Two-stage handover operation

At a ceremony held at the Chinese embassy in Washington on Wednesday, US Homeland Security Investigations' Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities programme transferred 58 pieces comprising cultural relics and palaeontological fossils to Chinese officials. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office in New York returned an additional six items the following day.

Beijing frames repatriation as diplomatic milestone

Guo Jiakun, spokesman for China's foreign ministry, told reporters at a briefing that the handover "marks the latest step to implement the common understandings reached by the two presidents in their meetings in Beijing". He described the repatriation as proof "of the broad prospects of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability".

Guo called on both nations to "go in the same direction in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit so as to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and peoples". The timing of the handover comes as Washington and Beijing work to stabilise ties before anticipated leaders' meetings.

Source: South China Morning Post