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.