LONDON HANDS BACK 12 ARTIFACTS AND WORKS OF ART TO BEIJING

LONDON, SEPTEMBER 24 /SRNA/ – Britain returned 12 artifacts and works of art to China during a handover ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom.

China's Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism and Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Rao Quan joined the ceremony online. Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Zheng Zeguang attended the event.

The Chinese side said facilitating the return of lost cultural objects to their countries of origin was a just act that protects cultural heritage, respects the cultural rights and national sentiments of peoples around the world, and safeguards the heritage of human civilization.

The British side said the return was a positive result of practical cooperation between the two countries, reflecting mutual respect and a firm commitment to jointly combating the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts, Xinhua reported.

London police had seized the artifacts and works of art during several investigations.