US Returns 64 Artifacts and Fossils to China
On Sept 16 and 17 local time, China's National Cultural Heritage Administration received two batches totaling 64 artifacts and paleontological fossils returned by US Homeland Security Investigations and the New York Manhattan District Attorney's Office in Washington and New York. Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism and NCHA Director Rao Quan signed return confirmation documents with the US side. The return was conducted under the bilateral memorandum of understanding on restricting the illegal import of Chinese cultural property into the US, first signed in 2009 and renewed three times. Items include a bodhisattva torso from the north wall of Cave 17 at Tianlongshan, statues, pottery figur…
Impact and considerations
The return was conducted under the bilateral MOU, demonstrating continued operation of cultural heritage cooperation mechanisms, relevant to institutions involved in artifact transport, exhibitions and cross-border cultural projects.
Key points
- On Sept 16 and 17, the NCHA received two batches totaling 64 artifacts and paleontological fossils returned by the US in Washington and New York.
- Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism and NCHA Director Rao Quan signed return confirmation documents with the US side.
- The return was conducted under the bilateral MOU on restricting the illegal import of Chinese cultural property into the US.
- The MOU was first signed on Jan 14, 2009 and renewed three times.
- Items include a bodhisattva torso from the north wall of Cave 17 at Tianlongshan, statues, pottery figurines, dinosaur skeletons, fish fossils and dinosaur egg fossils.
- Nine HSI branches participated in the return, and the New York Manhattan DA's Office returned artifacts to China for the fifth time.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- 中国旅游新闻网
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 18 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Page published
- 18 Sept 2026, 22:06
- Last updated
- 18 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Original links
- China Tourism News：美国向我国返还64件（套）文物艺术品和古生物化石-中国旅游新闻网Document (opens in a new tab)Primary source · zh · Published 18 Sept 2026, 08:00