Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China appreciates France's efforts to promote the return of lost cultural relics to their countries of origin

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on May 7 that China appreciates France's efforts to promote the return of lost cultural relics to their countries of origin, and believes this reflects France's sense of responsibility. Lin made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to the French National Assembly's passage that day of a bill aimed at simplifying the procedure for returning cultural relics acquired illegally from other countries. The bill passed with 141 votes in favor and 0 against, and will still need to go through the remaining legislative procedures. Lin said that China and France have already carried out multiple cooperative efforts in preventing the smuggling of cultural relics and promoting the return of lost cultural relics, and that China is willing to continue working with all relevant parties, including France, through dialogue and cooperation to advance the protection and return of cultural relics and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.