The State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China announced a joint effort with the United States to prevent Chinese cultural relicsillegal immigrationThe validity period of the US intergovernmental MoU has been extended. This is the third time that both sides have renewed the agreement. During this period, the United States returned 15 batches of 504 pieces/sets of lost Chinese cultural relics and artifacts from the United States to China.
The agreement is “a memorandum of understanding between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the United States of America on the imposition of import restrictions on classified archaeological materials dating from the Paleolithic era to the end of the Tang Dynasty, as well as monumental sculptures and statues.” Mural art that is at least 250 years old” and was completed in January 2009. In March, it was renovated twice, in 2014 and 2019. This is the third renovation.
According to the news of China’s State Administration of Cultural Heritage on the 11th, the new text will take effect on January 14, 2024 and will be valid for 5 years.Extension of validity period passed by Chinastate CouncilApproved and ratified by an exchange of notes between China and the United States.
Officials stressed that the extension of the validity period of the Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding between China and the United States on Preventing the Illegal Entry of Chinese Cultural Relics into the United States is “a measure to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state It is a practical solution.” On Enhancing Exchanges and Cooperation in the Cultural Field between China and the United States.” China and the United States, the two leading countries in the field of cultural heritage, have joined hands to jointly combat illegal trafficking of cultural relics. Cooperate, and set an example of combating theft, excavation and trafficking of cultural remains through international cooperation at the global level, jointly safeguard the common cultural property of all mankind, and safeguard the safety of cultural remains The renewal of the agreement will further promote China-US exchanges and cooperation in culture and cultural relics.
As of December 2023, China has signed such intergovernmental documents with 26 countries including Peru, India and the United States.Italy, Philippines, Greece, Chile, Cyprus and other countries. The United States has returned to China 15 batches of 504 pieces/sets of Chinese cultural relics and artifacts lost from the United States.
According to the full text of the memorandum above, the archaeological materials that are prohibited from being imported into the United States include monumental sculptures and wall art dating from the Paleolithic era of 75,000 BC to the end of the Tang Dynasty (907 AD) . As well as monuments and murals that are at least 250 years old. These include various metal objects, ceramics, stones, textiles, other organic materials, glass and paintings. The above items can only be excluded if they have a license or other documents issued by the Chinese government that can prove that they do not violate Chinese laws.
Regarding the renewal of the agreement between the two parties, Chinese official media Global Times quoted Huo Zhengxin, a law professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, as saying that the United States is an important cultural relics market and China is one of them. The country in the world rich in cultural remains. This renewal has important practical significance and demonstrative value to the world, this step is important to prevent the illegal outflow of Chinese cultural relics, and will also help to stabilize and smooth the relations between the two countries. While promoting friendship between the two people.
It is worth noting that when the agreement was signed 250 years ago in 2009, it was 1759 (the 24th year of Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty). Today, 250 years ago it is 1774 (the 39th year of Qianlong’s reign in the Qing dynasty) with the time frame moving backwards.
However, in 2007, Chinese authorities changed the standard line to prohibit the export of all cultural relics dating from 1795 (the 60th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty), before 1911, and before 1949. Added many items. Export of cultural relics. In January 2022, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China established a new “Office of the Recovery and Return of Lost Cultural Relics”, an independent sub-department-level agency. Authorities also issued a new ban in May 2023, significantly tightening rules on the export of artworks. Paintings by famous artists such as Zhang Daqian and Pu Xinshe will be changed to “All are not allowed to be exported.” Liang Qichao, Yan Fu, Li Shutong, Wu Changshuo and others were added to the list. Work.
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