Chinese relics scattered worldwide

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-24-2009 12:18

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The two bronze statue heads represent just a small portion  of the Chinese cultural relics lost overseas.

The two bronze statue heads represent just a small portion of the Chinese cultural relics lost overseas.

UNESCO estimates more than 17 million Chinese cultural relics are scattered abroad. That figure far exceeds the number contained in the country's museums.

China retrieves relics from abroad three ways, via legal means, purchases by the state, or from companies or individuals who buy the items and donate them to the Chinese government.

Both China and France signed a 1995 international convention stipulating that any cultural object looted or lost in war should be returned. But France has not ratified it.

Editor:Liu Anqi