October 30, 2013
China signs agreement with Cyprus to stop illicit trafficking of artefacts
China & Cyprus are very different countries in many ways. They do however both face problems with looting of archaeological sites, with the spoils from these actions often eventually ending up in auctions abroad.
It is great to see them signing an agreement to clamp down on this, although the idea of countries signing numerous bilateral agreements for an issue such as this clearly does not scale well, when you consider the number of countries involved in similar issues.
Cyprus Communications Minister Tasos Mitsopoulos and China’s Culture deputy-minister Li Xiaojie
From:
Cyprus Mail
October 29, 2013
Cyprus and China agree to safeguard artefactsCyprus and China have signed a bilateral agreement to safeguard their archaeological objects and prevent their illicit trading.
Communications Minister Tasos Mitsopoulos and China’s Culture deputy-minister Li Xiaojie signed on Tuesday on behalf of their respective countries a memorandum of cooperation to prevent trading of stolen goods and illicit excavations.
The agreement covers Cypriot and Chinese antiquities from prehistoric periods to the 20th century. Cypriot artefacts from until AD 1940 are covered by the agreement as are Chinese artefacts up until AD 1949.The memorandum strengthens the legal framework by defining ways to exchange information in relation to goods traded in art markets and suggests stronger collaboration between the two countries.
Mitsopoulos said he and Li Xiaojie discussed ways to strengthen the two countries’ relationships further by exchanging experts, archaeologists and taking up joint programmes to restore artefacts.
Li Xiaojie said the memorandum was a “landmark” moment in the relationship of the two countries.
The Chinese deputy minister and his team also met Cypriot minister of education and culture Kyriacos Kenevezos. A programme outlining the two countries’ cultural collaboration for the following years is due to be agreed in December, Kenevezos said, when he will visit China.
- Agreement between Greece & US to limit importing of antiquities : February 2, 2012
- Strong legal framework & international collaboration are the key to reclaiming disputed artefacts : January 24, 2011
- New Acropolis Museum exhibition in China : February 27, 2008
- Germany’s Pfahlbaumuseum will return 8,000 illegally excavated pottery fragments to Greece : May 31, 2013
- Stolen Cypriot icon returned by Boy George : February 17, 2011
- Hillary Clinton travels to Athens to sign cultural heritage protection memorandum : February 2, 2012
- British Museum may borrow terracotta army : July 6, 2006
- Arguments between China & Taiwan over disputed artefacts : October 26, 2009
grhluna25 said,
10.30.13 at 4:03 pm
RT @elginism: Blog post: China signs agreement with Cyprus to stop illicit trafficking of artefacts http://t.co/NlUiNhl7zW
MayaResearchPro said,
10.30.13 at 4:10 pm
RT @elginism: Blog post: China signs agreement with Cyprus to stop illicit trafficking of artefacts http://t.co/NlUiNhl7zW
Artantiq said,
10.30.13 at 4:11 pm
RT @elginism: Blog post: China signs agreement with Cyprus to stop illicit trafficking of artefacts http://t.co/NlUiNhl7zW
Inomla said,
10.31.13 at 10:36 am
RT @elginism: Blog post: China signs agreement with Cyprus to stop illicit trafficking of artefacts http://t.co/NlUiNhl7zW