On September 16, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said in his remarks at the handover ceremony for the repatriation of Chinese cultural property that the repatriation serves as a beacon of justice, safeguarding the shared cultural heritage of humanity. Cultural relics are invaluable and non-renewable resources. As President Xi Jinping emphasized, “The preservation of cultural relics both benefits people today and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.” Combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property and facilitating its repatriation is a just cause pursued by all humanity.

Ambassador Xie noted that 58 artifacts of 10 batches were handed over at the ceremony, which would not have been possible without the collaboration between the Chinese and U.S. competent authorities over the years. Among the repatriated relics was a Bodhisattva statue of the Tianlongshan Grottoes in Shanxi Province. Looted and trafficked overseas more than 100 years ago, it could finally return home. The other relics, including pottery figurines, stone statues and fossils, also hold significant historical, cultural and scientific value. Their return demonstrates the two countries’ shared responsibility to history, respect for civilization and commitment to justice, and has set a shining example for global cooperation in the restitution and return of illegally trafficked cultural property. As the proverb goes, “Many hands make light work.” China stands ready to continue working with the U.S. and more countries to fulfill the mission of preserving cultural heritage, and carry forward the flame of human civilization.