Looted Chinese art sold back to China

Looted Chinese art sold back to China

HONG KONG (AP): Defying Beijing's objections and local protests, auction house Sotheby's on Tuesday sold two 18th century Chinese antiques looted from a palace back to the Chinese for US$4.67 million.

Protesters scuffled with police outside the auction hall -- as they unleased anger at the idea of precious relics stolen from China by Europeans being sold off on Chinese soil.

"It would be less of an insult to our feelings if they were sold in another country," said Tsang Kin-shing, a protester and former lawmaker. "But they're being sold in our motherland. This is a blatant disregard for our feelings."

Both pieces were taken from Yuan Ming Yuan, also known as the Old Summer Palace, by French and British troops in 1860 during what was called the second Opium War.