Singapore Lianhe Zaobao reported today (May 18th) saying, "American museums are returning artifacts from the Warring States Period to China. Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, said that the return of cultural relics injects positive energy into enhancing cultural exchanges and friendship between the people of both countries, and also shows that the two countries can work together on many 'big, practical, and good' things beneficial to both countries and the world."
According to Xinhua News Agency reports, the National Museum of Asian Art of the Smithsonian Institution returned the Warring States period Chu silk manuscripts "Five Elements Order" and "Attack and Defense Divination" to the National Cultural Relics Administration of China on Friday (May 16th). At the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, said that the lost Chinese cultural relics have been far away from their homeland due to national weakness and chaos, but they are now踏上 the journey back home with the revival of the nation.
These two rolls of silk manuscripts were illegally smuggled out of a Chu tomb in Changsha, Hunan province in 1942 after being looted, and then illegally flowed to the United States in 1946. They are the earliest known silk manuscripts discovered so far, and also the only known Warring States Period silk manuscript and the first ancient book in the canonical sense. Their content covers auspiciousness and taboos for the four seasons and twelve months, as well as auspiciousness and taboos for attacking and defending cities, with a total of more than 900 characters. They hold irreplaceable value for the study of ancient Chinese characters, ancient literature, and academic history and thought history, serving as precious witnesses to the cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.
This repatriation action sets a successful example in the field of cultural heritage protection cooperation between China and the U.S., demonstrating the feasibility of solving historical legacy issues through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit. This not only helps enhance mutual understanding and friendly feelings between the people of the two countries but also provides positive reference for cooperation in other fields between the two countries.
The return of cultural relics can be regarded as an active diplomatic measure. By returning cultural relics, the U.S. can send friendly signals to China, enhance mutual trust between the two countries, and create a more favorable cooperative atmosphere.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832426024091652/
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