China calls for return of stolen art treasures
Nov 17th, 2009 | By Chris | Category: International, Random Shanghai stuff...Reuters has the scoop here.
Quote:
Chinese art, whether ancient or more contemporary, has fetched record prices at international auctions in recent years, and at times defying the global economic downturn.
But the official Xinhua news agency quoted Liu as saying that illicit appropriation of, and trafficking in, cultural property is a “sacrilege” to history and civilization.
“While enjoying broad consensus of the international community, protecting cultural heritage and promoting the restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin are inalienable and fundamental cultural rights of the people of countries of origin, as well as cultural responsibilities incumbent on all governments,” Liu said.
Chinese art authorities are planning to catalog Chinese pieces currently housed in overseas institutions, Chinese media reported earlier this year.
