In brief
In Canberra on Oct. 28, 2026, Australia returned two limestone statues dating to the Northern Song Dynasty to China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration. The gesture, underscored by statements from Australian and Chinese officials, highlights cooperation on protecting cultural heritage under UN conventions.
Australia returned two Chinese cultural relics to China at a handover ceremony held at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.
The two limestone heads, one of a military official from the Yongyu Mausoleum and the other of a civil official from the Yongchang Mausoleum, were carved during the Northern Song Dynasty (960‑1127) and originally came from Henan Province in central China.
NGA director Nick Mitzevich, Chinese Deputy Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) Tang Wei, and Hong Kong-based ambassador Liu Jinsong were present at the ceremony, which took place at 2:52 p.m. local time.
Background on the Relics
According to the NGA, the statues were made of limestone and were part of a larger collection that had been housed in Australia for several decades before the joint decision to repatriate them.
The NCHA had previously collaborated with China’s Ministry of Public Security and provincial heritage authorities in Henan to gather evidence and establish a memorandum of understanding with the NGA, culminating in the present transfer.
Both nations cited the UNESCO conventions on the protection of cultural property, emphasizing that the return underscored their shared commitment to safeguarding world heritage.
In his remarks, Tang Wei said that returning displaced cultural relics to their countries of origin is an important step toward safeguarding cultural heritage, respecting the cultural rights and national sentiments of peoples around the world, and protecting the achievements of human civilization.
Tang Wei emphasized that returning displaced cultural relics would safeguard cultural heritage, respect cultural rights, and protect human civilization achievements.
Mitzevich noted that the event represented “more than the physical transfer of cultural objects,” expressing that the gesture reflected respect for cultural heritage, a sense of responsibility, and the importance of international partnerships.
Nick Mitzevich said the return “represented more than the physical transfer of cultural objects,” and would strengthen Australia‑China relations and encourage continued cooperation in cultural heritage protection.
Significance for Bilateral Relations
The handover of these relics is cited by both sides as a significant outcome of China‑Australia cooperation in implementing international conventions and protecting cultural heritage.
China said it would further promote people‑to‑people exchanges and empathy between the two peoples, while Australia highlighted that the transfer would help strengthen diplomatic ties and foster future collaborations.
Observers of the ceremony noted that the event could serve as a model for future repatriation discussions, demonstrating how diplomatic channels and heritage organizations can collaborate to resolve complex cultural property matters.
The NGA and the NCHA confirmed that the two relics will be returned to their original locations in China, where they will be re‑integrated into the broader narrative of the Yongyu and Yongchang mausoleums’ historical significance.
The ceremony concluded with both Australian and Chinese officials expressing gratitude for the cooperation that made the return possible, and affirming that international partnership remains key to protecting cultural artifacts worldwide.
