Latest news with #NationalCulturalHeritageAdministration
The Star
16-05-2025
- General
- The Star
2nd LD Writethru: U.S. museum returns to China ancient silk manuscripts from Warring States period
WASHINGTON, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art on Friday officially returned the Zidanku Silk Manuscript volumes II and III: Wuxing Ling and Gongshou Zhan from the Warring States period to China's National Cultural Heritage Administration. The handover ceremony took place at the Chinese Embassy in the United States in Washington, D.C. The silk manuscripts were unearthed in 1942 from the Zidanku site in Changsha, Hunan Province, and were illegally taken to the United States in 1946. The silk manuscripts are currently the only known silk manuscripts from the Warring States period (475-221 BC). The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts are divided into three volumes. The returning texts, Wuxing Ling and Gongshou Zhan, are the second and third volumes, respectively. As the only known silk manuscripts from the Warring States period unearthed in China, the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts -- over 2,000 years old -- are the earliest silk text discovered to date, representing the earliest known example of a classical Chinese book in the true sense. It is of foundational significance for the study of ancient Chinese script and literature, as well as for the history of Chinese scholarship and thought. The repatriation of Wuxing Ling and Gongshou Zhan "ensures that these invaluable artifacts can now be fully and rightfully protected and studied in the soil from which they came," Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Rao Quan, who is also the head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said in a video address. This will allow for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding and interpretation of their heritage value, transforming them into shared academic and civilizational assets for China and the world, said Rao. At the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said that the return is a "cultural milestone" and a "testament" to China-U.S. cooperation in heritage preservation, bringing new vitality to people-to-people exchanges and friendship. China and the United States have made "notable progress" in heritage cooperation, with around 600 artifacts sent back to China -- including more than 40 pieces since the start of this year, according to the Chinese ambassador. At the ceremony, Chase F. Robinson, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, said that the return of the manuscripts "reflects a carefully considered decision," calling it an example of "mutually beneficial and collegial international collaboration." The return of Wuxing Ling and Gongshou Zhan marks a successful case of proactive recovery of significant lost cultural artifacts. It also serves as a model for the application of the core spirit of dialogue and cooperation outlined in the Qingdao Recommendations, showcasing how research into provenance and transfer history can support the successful repatriation of Chinese cultural artifacts lost overseas. These manuscripts will be publicly displayed for the first time in July 2025 at the National Museum of China as part of an exhibition on the repatriation of cultural relics. The National Cultural Heritage Administration said it will continue to work toward the early return of Sishi Ling, another volume of the Zidanku silk manuscripts.
Leaders
18-03-2025
- General
- Leaders
Saudi-Chinese Team Achieves Progress in Archaeological Excavation at Al-Sirrain
As part of a Saudi-Chinese agreement, Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site in Al-Lith governorate, Makkah region. In collaboration with China's National Cultural Heritage Administration, the initiative seeks to exchange knowledge and expertise in archaeological excavation, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Through the precise studying of residential areas, city planning as well as connections to other urban centers, the excavation aimed at offering a deeper understanding of the site. Saudi-Chinese Team Achieves Progress in Archaeological Excavation at Al-Sirrain In addition, it prioritized the documentation of structural features, such as parts of the city wall, towers and gates. During the excavation, researchers discovered various artifacts, including pottery, stone vessels, decorative items, a gold dinar from the mid-second Hijri century and Chinese porcelain. They also found gravestones with distinctive carvings. In order to shed light on the site's significance along the Maritime Silk Road, the survey identified key architectural features, such as wall foundations and gravestones. Saudi-Chinese Team Achieves Progress in Archaeological Excavation at Al-Sirrain This remarkable milestone coincides with the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025. This newly launched initiative features various joint cultural initiatives aiming at boosting cultural exchange and strengthening historical ties between the two civilizations through the Silk Road. Therefore, it stands as a testament to both Saudi Arabia and China's dedication to fostering historical research and documenting shared heritage. Related Topics: Culture Ministry Launches Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025 Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award: Strengthening Saudi-Chinese Cultural Ties SFDA Boosts Saudi-Chinese Cooperation in Beijing Short link : Post Views: 5
Arab News
18-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi cabinet condemns renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza, urges immediate international action to end humanitarian crisis
Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site in Al-Lith governorate, Makkah region. The project was carried out in collaboration with China's National Cultural Heritage Administration as part of a bilateral agreement to exchange expertise in archaeological excavation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. It coincides with the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025, which features joint cultural initiatives. The goal is to strengthen cultural exchange and highlight historical ties between the two civilizations through the Silk Road. The collaboration reflects Saudi Arabia and China's commitment to supporting historical research and documenting shared heritage, the SPA reported. The excavation aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the site by studying residential areas, city planning and connections to other urban centers. It also sought to document structural features, including parts of the city wall, towers and gates. Researchers uncovered various artifacts, including pottery, stone vessels, decorative items, a gold dinar from the mid-second Hijri century and Chinese porcelain. Gravestones with unique carvings were also found. The survey identified key architectural features, including wall foundations and gravestones, highlighting the site's significance along the Maritime Silk Road. The port city thrived until the late third Hijri century, reaching its peak in the fifth and sixth Hijri centuries. It remains one of the largest archaeological sites on the Red Sea coast, according to the SPA. The Heritage Commission is committed to preserving antiquities and advancing archaeological research across the Kingdom, the SPA added. It also aims to expand cooperation with local and international partners in line with Vision 2030, promoting culture and ensuring the sustainability of heritage for future generations.
Arab News
18-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site in Al-Lith governorate, Makkah region. The project was carried out in collaboration with China's National Cultural Heritage Administration as part of a bilateral agreement to exchange expertise in archaeological excavation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. It coincides with the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025, which features joint cultural initiatives. The goal is to strengthen cultural exchange and highlight historical ties between the two civilizations through the Silk Road. The collaboration reflects Saudi Arabia and China's commitment to supporting historical research and documenting shared heritage, the SPA reported. The excavation aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the site by studying residential areas, city planning and connections to other urban centers. It also sought to document structural features, including parts of the city wall, towers and gates. Researchers uncovered various artifacts, including pottery, stone vessels, decorative items, a gold dinar from the mid-second Hijri century and Chinese porcelain. Gravestones with unique carvings were also found. The survey identified key architectural features, including wall foundations and gravestones, highlighting the site's significance along the Maritime Silk Road. The port city thrived until the late third Hijri century, reaching its peak in the fifth and sixth Hijri centuries. It remains one of the largest archaeological sites on the Red Sea coast, according to the SPA. The Heritage Commission is committed to preserving antiquities and advancing archaeological research across the Kingdom, the SPA added. It also aims to expand cooperation with local and international partners in line with Vision 2030, promoting culture and ensuring the sustainability of heritage for future generations.
South China Morning Post
04-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
US hands over 41 cultural relics to China under deal to return artefacts
The US has returned 41 artefacts and antiques to China as part of a repatriation deal to help Beijing retrieve looted and smuggled relics. Advertisement The Manhattan District Attorney's Office in New York handed over the items to China's National Cultural Heritage Administration on Tuesday, according to state-owned broadcaster CCTV. The oldest artefacts date from the Neolithic period (around 10,000BC – 1700BC) while the newest are from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). They include pottery, jade, bronzeware, and objects related to Tibetan Buddhism , according to CCTV. 'It is the right thing to do to return these antiquities to their homeland,' said Matthew Bogdanos, an assistant district attorney with the prosecutor's office, during the handover ceremony. CCTV said the 41 relics had been 'illegally exported from China'. Advertisement The administration was informed through the Chinese consulate in New York that the Manhattan prosecutor's office had seized the 41 items while handling cases, according to the report. It added that the administration had worked closely with the consulate to return the items.
