U.S. returns 38 ancient cultural artifacts to China

(ECNS) -- The National Cultural Heritage Administration of China reclaimed 38 lost cultural artifacts from the United States on Thursday.

During a handover ceremony at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office handed over the seized objects to the Chinese government.

Preliminary examination showed that most of the objects are Ming and Qing dynasty  Buddhist artifacts, such as pagodas, Buddha statues, and Buddhist ornaments made of bronze, clay, ivory, and wood.

China and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to prevent the illegal importation of Chinese cultural artifacts into the United States in January 2009. Its validity has been extended for the third time, starting from January 14 this year.