Courts step up efforts in relics protection, recovery

Chinese courts have made a greater effort in handling cases involving relics and heritages over recent years, with harsh punishment against offenders and restoration of damaged objects as the top priority.

Since 2016, courts nationwide have concluded 12,407 cases concerning relics and heritages and have also started hearing public-interest litigation in this regard in 2018, according to Yang Linping, vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, China's top court.

"We've given heavier punishments to those who intentionally damaged, stole, excavated and purchased relics, not only ordering them to be held liable, but also demanding they compensate for and restore the damaged objects," she said at a news conference on Tuesday.

"We've explored the formulation of judicial rules on foreign-related relics to help bring treasures lost overseas back to our country, and we've also urged government agencies in charge of relic-related affairs to perform their duties," she said.

Data from the National Cultural Heritage Administration showed on Tuesday that China has 56 World Heritage Sites, ranking second in the world, with more than 760,000 immovable cultural relics.

The administration also revealed China has 108 million pieces or sets of State-owned movable relics.

Guan Qiang, deputy head of the administration, said on Tuesday they have worked with judicial authorities in recent years to strengthen the protection of relics by jointly issuing guidelines and launching campaigns.

Since 2012, for example, courts at all levels and government agencies cracked down on some 11,000 crimes involving relics, with the recovery of 170,000 relics, he added.

While pledging to continue the crackdown and cooperation, Chen Peijun, head of the administration's inspection department, said they have also applied technologies in monitoring and protecting relics.