The first-class cultural relic of the Western Zhou Dynasty, Feng Xing Shugui, returned to the embrace of the motherland after 40 years of wandering in a foreign land.

　　China News Service, Beijing, February 7 (Reporter Ying Ni) The reporter learned from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage on the 7th that the Administration had recently successfully recovered the stolen and lost first-class Western Zhou Fengxing Shugui from the United States. On January 28, the cultural relics were safely transported to Beijing on an Air China flight under special escort, ending their 40-year wandering overseas and returning to the embrace of the motherland.

A national first-class cultural relic of the Western Zhou Dynasty, Feng Xing Shu Gui. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

　　Stolen and lost overseas 40 years ago

　　Fengxing Shugui was unearthed in a late Western Zhou Dynasty bronze ware cellar in Famen Town, Fufeng County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province in 1978. It is 18 centimeters in height, 21 centimeters in diameter, 12 centimeters deep in the abdomen, and weighs 6 kilograms. The abdomen is drummed, the mouth is narrowed, the upper abdomen is decorated with a curved pattern, the lower part of the abdomen is decorated with corrugated patterns, the round feet are connected with animal heads and three flat feet, and the upper ends of both ears are decorated with curled-nosed animal heads. It is a typical Western Zhou bronze shape, with simple and solemn features. Period style. There is an inscription on the inner bottom of this gui with 3 lines and 18 characters (including 2 heavy words): "Uncle Feng Xing made Bo Ji Zun Gui, and his descendants will use it forever." The calligraphy art is exquisite. The craftsmanship of the artifacts reflects the superb casting level of Western Zhou bronzes. It was stolen in November 1984 and lost overseas.

There is an 18-character inscription on the inner bottom of Fengxing Shugui. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

The upper abdomen of Fengxing Shugui is decorated with a curved pattern, and the lower abdomen is decorated with corrugated patterns. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

The upper ends of both ears of Fengxing Shugui are decorated with animal heads with curly noses, which is unique in shape. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

The inscription and rubbing on the inner bottom of Feng Xing Shu Gui "Feng Don (Xing) Shu Cha (made) by Bo Ji Zun Gui, will be used by his descendants for thousands of years." Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

　　In January 2023, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage learned through the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom that Feng Xingshu Gui had appeared in New York, the United States. It immediately initiated the recovery process for lost cultural relics, and cooperated with the Ministry of Public Security to guide local cultural relics and public security departments to quickly collect and organize relevant evidence. At the same time, fully communicate with the holder Raymond King and his mother. After Raymond King and his mother learned about the background of the cultural relics, they decided to "do the right thing" and agreed to return the cultural relics to the Chinese government unconditionally. In November 2023, the Chinese Consulate General in New York received and temporarily stored Fengxing Shugui on behalf of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

　　After the cultural relics arrived in Beijing, on January 29, they were physically appraised by experts organized by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, and repeatedly compared with historical archive photos and rubbings. Comprehensive judgment from all aspects shows that the Gui is the original Gui of Fengxing Shu and is a first-class cultural relic.

　　A vivid story of friendly exchanges between the people of China and the United States

　　In order to praise the righteous deeds of Raymond King and his mother, and to highlight the achievements of cooperation in cultural heritage protection between China and the United States and the friendly exchanges between the two peoples, in January 2024, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco held a memorial ceremony for Raymond King and his mother in San Francisco. Jin and his mother, who currently live in Portland, Oregon, USA, jointly held the return ceremony of Fengxing Shugui.

Li Qun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, delivered a video speech at the return ceremony of Fengxing Shugui. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

　　Li Qun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, delivered a video speech at the ceremony, expressing his gratitude to Raymond King, his mother, and all relevant parties for promoting the return. Li Qun said in his speech that the return of Fengxing Shugui is an important achievement in implementing the San Francisco Consensus between the heads of state of China and the United States. It provides a positive example for the return of more cultural relics to their countries of origin and is also a vivid example of the friendly exchanges between the Chinese and American peoples. Since China and the United States signed an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding to prevent the illegal entry of Chinese cultural relics into the United States, many friendly people in the United States like Raymond King and his mother have taken practical actions to help return Chinese cultural relics lost overseas to the motherland. These vivid stories of friendly exchanges between the people of China and the United States have injected impetus into the continuous expansion of cultural heritage protection and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States. Combating the illegal trafficking of cultural property is in the common interest of all mankind and requires joint actions from colleagues around the world and all sectors of society.

　　Raymond King and his mother introduced the situation related to Fengxing Shugui and once again expressed their strong desire to return the lost cultural relics as soon as possible. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to all parties for their trust and support, and deeply expressed his love for Chinese culture and his determination to help protect world cultural heritage.

Zhang Jianmin, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, issued donation certificates to Raymond King and his mother on behalf of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

　　Zhang Jianmin, the Chinese Consul General in San Francisco, issued a donation certificate to Raymond King and his mother on behalf of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage in recognition of his contribution to the recovery and return of Chinese cultural relics lost overseas. Zhang Jianmin said that Chinese cultural relics lost overseas carry the historical feelings and cultural memories of the Chinese people and are an integral part of China's cultural heritage. On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the return of Fengxing Shugui is an important achievement of cultural exchanges between the two countries, helping to strengthen Sino-US friendship and setting an example for global cultural heritage protection cooperation.

　　Has facilitated the return of 15 batches of 504 pieces (sets) of Chinese cultural relics and artworks from the United States

　　my country attaches great importance to the recovery and return of lost cultural relics and actively participates in, promotes and leads relevant international governance. In 1989, it joined the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Illegal Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. . Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage has facilitated the return of more than 1,800 pieces (sets) of cultural relics and artworks to the motherland through international law enforcement cooperation, international civil litigation, diplomatic negotiations, negotiated donations, etc., stimulating public patriotic enthusiasm and strengthening cultural confidence. China and the United States first signed the intergovernmental memorandum of understanding between China and the United States on preventing the illegal entry of Chinese cultural relics into the United States on January 14, 2009. Its validity period was extended for the third time from January 14 this year. The Memorandum of Understanding is an important document for intergovernmental cooperation on cultural heritage between China and the United States. It has so far facilitated the return of 15 batches of 504 pieces (sets) of Chinese cultural relics and artworks to the motherland.

　　The State Administration of Cultural Heritage guided the China Cultural Relics Exchange Center, Beijing Lu Xun Museum and other relevant units to quickly start the return of Fengxing Shugui after the return ceremony. Beijing Customs and Capital Airport Customs provide green channels for the entry of cultural relics. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has directed Air China to provide relevant assistance. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage will organize and carry out cultural relic protection, research, publicity and exhibition work in a timely manner to fully tap the value of cultural relics and effectively strengthen the protection of cultural relics. (over)