Looted Chinese relics sold for 14 million Euros each

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Li Huan，a Chinese student in France, said, "The two bronzes are news for the French, but history for the Chinese. The French should know more about Chinese history. Although we failed in the lawsuit, justice will not fail."

Many French historians say they can understand the Chinese feelings.

Bernard Brizay, a Franch historian, said, "The bronzes should be returned to China, no matter who got the bids. I hope the bidder could return them to China. They should be in a Beijing museum instead of some rich man's sitting room."

The two bronzes belong to a set of 12 animal sculptures of the Chinese zodiac. They graced a spectacular fountain in the imperial summer resort of Yuanmingyuan, or the old Summer Palace, in west Beijing, China. The garden was looted by Anglo-French forces in 1860.

A team of 80 Chinese lawyers has pledged to bring the relics back home. But a Parisian court rejected their bid to stop the auction at Christie's.

On Tuesday, the Chinese government formally called for the cancellation of the auction of the two pieces. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage addressed a letter to the auction house. It called for respect for the Chinese people's feelings and their justified request.

The Chinese lawyers promise they will press on to bring the sculptures home.

Editor:Liu Anqi