China seeks to halt auction of relics

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The UNESCO Convention on Stolen and Illegally Exported Cultural Objects stipulates that any looted or lost during wars should be returned without any limitation of time span.

However, because some countries hold looted relics never signed the convention, many experts believe it's hard to use it to retrieve lost treasures from overseas.

Studies have estimated there are currently over 1.6 million Chinese relics on display at museums in nearly 50 countries.

Over three-thousand Chinese relics have been retrieved through diplomatic and judicial efforts by the Chinese government.

The two treasures at the center of court action in Paris are estimated to be worth 8 to 10 million euros each.

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage opposes the auction of lost treasures, and also doesn't encourage Chinese to buy looted relics as a way of getting them back.

Editor:Xiong Qu