Photo: Courtesy of National Cultural Heritage Administration

China's cultural authority has successfully retrieved the stolen and lost Western Zhou (1046BC-771BC) bronze vessel known as Feng Xingshu Gui from the US, marking the end of its 40-year odyssey abroad and its return to its homeland. Officials said this move serves as a positive example for the return of more lost cultural relics to their home country in the world, including China and a vivid illustration of friendly exchanges between the Chinese and American people, according to a document the  National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) sent to the Global Times on Wednesday.

The artifact safely arrived in Beijing by flight CA986 on January 28. After thorough examination by subject matter experts and careful comparison with historical archive photographs and rubbings, the vessel was confirmed to be the original Feng Xingshu Gui and was classified as a first-class cultural relic, according to the NCHA.

During a ceremony in the US, Li Qun, deputy minister of culture and tourism and head of the NCHA delivered a video speech, expressing gratitude to all parties involved in facilitating the return. 

Li emphasized that the return of the Feng Xingshu Gui is a significant achievement in implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of China and the US in San Francisco.  

Since the signing of  a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the governments of China and the US to prevent the illegal entry of Chinese cultural relics into the US, many American individuals, like Raymond King and his mother, have assisted in the return of lost Chinese cultural relics through concrete actions, providing positive momentum for the expansion of cultural heritage protection and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries. 

Li emphasized that combating the illegal trafficking of cultural property aligns with the common interests of all humanity and requires joint efforts from countries and various sectors of society.

The governments of China and US signed an extended MoU that aims to prevent the illegal importation of Chinese cultural artifacts into the US on January 14. The agreement will be valid for five years, the NCHA announced in January.

The lost Western Zhou (1046BC-771BC) bronze vessel known as Feng Xingshu Gui Photo: Courtesy of National Cultural Heritage Administration

The artifact with exquisite bronze casting techniques was unearthed in a bronze vessel cache from the late Western Zhou period in Baoji City, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province in 1978, but was stolen in November 1984 and disappeared overseas.

In January 2023, the NCHA learned through the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom that the bronze vessel had surfaced in New York, immediately initiating procedures to reclaim the lost artifact,  collaborating with China's Ministry of Public Security to collect and compile relevant evidence and engaged in extensive communication with the collector Raymond King and his mother. 

Upon learning the artifact's background, Raymond King and his mother decided unequivocally to "do the right thing" and agreed to unconditionally return it to the Chinese government. 

On November 11, 2023, under the authorization of the NCHA, Huang Ping, Chinese Consul General in New York received and temporarily stored the Feng Xingshu Gui.

To recognize Raymond King and his mother's act of kindness and highlight the achievements of cultural heritage protection cooperation between China and the US, on the afternoon of January 22, the NCHA and the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco jointly held a ceremony in Portland, Oregon, US, the current residence of Raymond King and his mother, for the return of the bronze vessel.

During the ceremony, Raymond King and his mother shared details about the Feng Xingshu Gui and reiterated their strong desire to promptly return the lost artifact. They expressed gratitude for the trust and support from all parties and conveyed their deep love for Chinese culture and determination to help protect world cultural heritage.

Zhang Jianmin, Chinese Consul General in San Francisco, representing the NCHA, presented a donation certificate to Raymond King and his mother, commending their contribution to the retrieval and return of lost Chinese cultural relics overseas. 

Zhang highlighted that on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US, the return of the Feng Xingshu Gui is a significant achievement in cultural exchange between the two countries. He added that the act enhances China-US friendship and serves as an positive model for global cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage.