The Republic of Korea (ROK) returned a pair of Qing Dynasty stone lions to the Chinese side on Thursday. 

During a handover ceremony at the Kansong Art Museum in Seoul, China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) officially received the marble sculptures from the National Museum of Korea.

Experts believe the stone lions once stood at the entrance of a residence belonging to a Qing-era prince or princess.

The stone lions were acquired by Kansong Art Museum founder Jeon Hyeong-pil at an auction in Japan in 1933. Believing they belonged in China, he had long hoped they would be returned. China's NCHA and the National Museum of Korea held talks in late 2025 and reached an agreement on the return of the stone lions.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Rao Quan, China's vice minister of culture and tourism and head of the NCHA, said the handover represents a practical step in implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state on expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

He said both countries have experienced the loss of cultural relics and have worked to recover them. South Korea's return of the stone lions reflects its respect and goodwill toward China's cultural heritage and helps strengthen ties between the two peoples.

Chinese Ambassador to the ROK Dai Bing said China-ROK relations have entered a new phase of improvement and development under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, adding that the move demonstrates the friendship between the two countries.

Representatives from the ROK said the handover was made out of deep respect for the history and culture of China and symbolizes the strong mutual trust between the two sides. They expressed hope that it would serve as an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation on cultural heritage preservation and exchanges.