China condemns UK auction of looted cultural relic

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China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage has strongly condemned the UK auction of a cultural relic suspected of being illegally obtained from the country. The piece of relic is suspected to have been looted from Yuanmingyuan or the Old Summer Palace, in Beijing during the Second Opium War from 1856 to 1860.

China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage has publicly condemned the sale of a Chinese bronze vessel, known as the Bronze Tiger Ying, which is scheduled for auction today by Britain's Canterbury Auction Galleries.

China condemns UK auction of looted cultural relic /VCG Photo

The government agency said in a statement that it had contacted the auction house through various channels, demanding the cancellation of the auction and telling the auction house to, "abide by the spirit of international agreements and code of professional ethics, as well as respect the cultural rights and national feelings of the Chinese people."

However, Canterbury Auction Galleries has responded very clearly that it will not cancel the auction.

Respecting the cultural heritage of all countries and helping facilitate the return of missing relics to countries which they belong is the overall consensus of the international community. And it is certainly the stance of the Chinese government.

China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage has called on friends from the international community to stand together on the basis of prinicples against this auction. They will continue to resolve this issue and take the necessary measures to retrieve cultural relics illegally obtained from China in accordance with relevant international agreements and China's laws.

China condemns UK auction of looted cultural relic