According to the National Cultural Heritage Administration, on October 28 local time, the National Cultural Heritage Administration received two Chinese cultural relics that were returned by the National Art Gallery of Australia in Canberra. Tang Wei, Deputy Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Liu Jinsong, Ambassador of China to Australia, and Nick Mitevic, Director of the National Art Gallery of Australia, attended the reception ceremony and delivered speeches. Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, the Federal Arts Department, and other relevant agencies also participated in the ceremony.
China states that promoting the return of lost cultural relics to their original countries is a just measure to safeguard the security of cultural relics in all countries, respect the cultural rights and national emotions of people from all nations, and preserve the achievements of human civilization. This cooperation is an important result of China and Australia working together to implement international conventions and protect cultural heritage. It will further promote cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties between China and Australia.
The Australian side stated that the return of cultural relics is not only the transfer of physical objects, but also reflects respect for cultural heritage, a sense of responsibility, and international partnership. This return will help to deepen the friendly relations between Australia and China and promote continued cooperation in the field of cultural heritage protection.
The two cultural relics returned by Australia this time are the heads of military officials from Yongyu Mausoleum during the Northern Song Dynasty in China, and those of civil officials from Yongchang Mausoleum. The National Cultural Heritage Administration, in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Security and the cultural and police departments of Henan Province, conducted an investigation to collect evidence. In 2025, a memorandum will be submitted to the National Art Gallery of Australia, requesting the return of the aforementioned cultural relics. This will officially initiate the process of retrieving these artifacts.
The National Cultural Heritage Administration and the embassy in Australia have worked closely together. Under the framework of the 1970 UNESCO Convention, based on the intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on cultural heritage protection signed between China and Australia in 2009, and Australia's policy on due diligence, tracing, and research on the history of the transfer of cultural relics issued by the National Gallery of Australia in 2021, two lost cultural relics have finally returned to China.
