China, U.S. extend MoU on preventing illegal importation of Chinese cultural artifacts

The governments of China and the United States have extended a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to prevent the illegal importation of Chinese cultural artifacts into the U.S. The MoU, effective from January 14 for five years, imposes import restrictions on items from the Paleolithic period to the Tang Dynasty and on monumental sculptures and wall art at least 250 years old. This extension follows the initial signing in 2009, with subsequent renewals in 2014 and 2019. Since 2009, 504 Chinese cultural artifacts have been successfully repatriated from the U.S. to China. China has similar MoUs with 26 other countries as of December 2023.

Source – CGTN

Photo Credit – Global Times