TNAG-1630-FCO40-2246-Visits-by-Hong-Kong-Government-officials-to-China--the-UK-an-1987 — Page 172

CONFIDENTIAL

ILLEGAL EXPORT FROM

CHINA OF NATIONAL TREASURES

Annexure 'E'

The Chinese side once again expressed their concern over the illegal export of national relics to overseas markets. The Public Security Bureaux nationwide were under tremendous pressure as Chinese nationals within and outside the country had asked for action to stop national treasures being smuggled abroad.

2.

Mr Liu Wen mentioned a ceremony held in Guangzhou in April this year for the purpose of rewarding the officers for the detection of a smuggling case early this year in which 3,600 items of relics were seized. He reiterated the need for co-operation between both sides in preventing this illegal activity.

3.

Noting the difference in law between the 2 places, Mr Liu said that the current procedure being adopted in Hong Kong, ie arrest of smugglers and return of seized property through NCNA, should be followed. He added, however, that those valuable and famous items should be dealt with in accordance with the United Nation's Treaty on "Illegal Transferring of Artistic Treasures" under which, according to him, Hong Kong should seize the items, inform China and then discuss detailed methods on the return of these relics to the mainland.

4.

CP assured the Chinese side that action had been carried out unremittingly by the RHKP in connection with this activity. He reported 2 seizures in HK since the previous meeting. The criminals in these cases had been convicted and the seized relics forfeited pending claim to be made by the Chinese authority.

5.

Mr Liu Wen then stated that in a case of theft in Xian Province, the head of one of the terra-cotta warrior figures had been stolen and was believed to have smuggled out of China. He enlisted assistance from RHKP to search for the lost property in Hong Kong and return to China if found. CP expressed his sympathy for the incident and, whilst, opining that such a famous relic might not appear in Hong Kong's market, undertook to assist in tracing its whereabouts subject to the Chinese side supplying details of the case to RHKP. Mr Liu Wen agreed.

6.

Mr Liu Wen brought up a previous proposal of sending a special investigation team to Hong Kong to familiarize with its relics markets and to identify any Chinese artifacts. CP advised that Interpol HK should be consulted well in advance.

CONFIDENTIAL