Ancient China
2004 Summary of China Request to U.S. Under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention
This huge demand for Chinese cultural artifacts has caused serious damage to ancient tombs and ancient sites. Gangs of criminals have been identified with their own networks of pillage, transportation, smuggling and sales abroad. The Chinese government has devoted many resources to stopping the pillage and smuggling, but many ancient sites, tombs, stone statuary, and temples are scattered throughout the undeveloped countryside where protection is difficult. For example, from March to August, 1988 a tomb-robbing gang in Hunan Province pillaged over 600 tombs in the region. In 1996, an investigation in Fengcheng City of Jiangxi Province discovered that 187 people participated in the pillage of over 199 tombs. Some of the artifacts had already been smuggled abroad. In Chifeng City of Inner Mongolia, statistics show that in the past 20 years over 6,000 ancient sites have been looted. And in recent years, stone statu ... [Read More]
China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau)
In March the Department of Cultural Affairs in Urumqi, Xinjiang, ordered the destruction of thousands of books on Uighur history and culture. Among the 330 titles were "A Brief History of the Huns and Ancient Uighur Literature," "Ancient Uighur Craftsmanship," and other books deemed "problematic." The books detailing and documenting Uighur history originally had been published with the approval of the authorities. ... Tibet University was established to train Tibetan teachers for the local educational system. Ethnic Tibetans resented the fact that Han representation in the student body and faculty far exceeded their proportion of the total TAR population. Although Tibetans were given admission preference, Han Chinese students frequently gained admission because they scored higher on admission exams due to stronger Chinese-language skills and educational backgrounds. Authorities reportedly required professors, particularly those from Tibet University's Tibetan Language Department, which was viewed as a potential source of dissent, to attend political education sessions and limited course studies and materials in an effort to prevent separatist political and religious activity on campus. Many ancient or religious texts were banned from the curriculum for political reasons. ... [Read More]
Recent Reports of Looting, Theft, Prosecution and Recovery on the World Wide Web
Destructive Frenzy in Afghanistan, Archaeology Online News (March 2, 2001). On February 26, supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar announced that all pre-Islamic statues in the Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan were to be destroyed. Reactions from around the world are uniformly outraged and saddened. January 2001 Rose, Mark Stolen Sculptures from Cyrene, Libya, Archaeology Online Features (January 30, 2001). At least fifteen stone heads have been stolen from the storerooms of the former University of Pennsylvania Expedition to Cyrene. It is ... [Read More]
U.S. Customs Service Returns Rare 10th Century Burial Sculture to China
SCULPTURE TO CHINANew York, NY -- A rare marble wall panel that had been looted from an ancient tomb in Northern China and offered for sale in New York was returned to Chinese officials today by the U.S. Customs Service. China said the panel would become part of its National Museum's permanent collection.The intricately carved relief of a warrior had guarded the 10th century five Dynasties Tomb of Wang Chuzhi for over a thousand years, until sometime in the spring 1994, when thieves used dynamite to blast their way into the burial site in mountainous Quyang County of Hebei Province.Six years later, in March 2000, the relief was advertised for sale at auction by Christie's in new York on consignment from M&C Gallery in Hong Kong. Valued at between $400,000 ... [Read More]
China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau)
Authorities reportedly required professors, particularly those from Tibet University's Tibetan language department, which was viewed as a potential source of dissent, to attend political education sessions and limited course studies and materials in an effort to prevent separatist political and religious activity on campus. Many ancient or religious texts were banned from the curriculum for political reasons. Tibet University was established to train Tibetan teachers for the local educational system; however, Han representation in the student body and faculty far exceeded their proportion of the total TAR population. Although Tibetans were given admission preference, Han Chinese students frequently gained admission because they scored higher on admission exams due to stronger Chinese-language skills and educational backgrounds. ... [Read More]
China (Includes Hong Kong and Macau)
Tibet University was established to train Tibetan teachers for the local educational system. Ethnic Tibetans resent the fact that Han representation in the student body and faculty far exceeds their proportion of the total TAR population. Although Tibetans are given admission preference, Han Chinese students frequently gain admission because they score higher on admission exams due to stronger Chinese-language skills and educational backgrounds. Authorities reportedly require professors, particularly those from Tibet University's Tibetan Language Department, which is viewed as a potential source of dissent, to attend political education sessions and limit course studies and materials in an effort to prevent "separatist" political and religious activity on campus. Many ancient or religious texts are banned from the curriculum for political reasons. ... [Read More]
U.S. and China to Sign Agreement Facilitating Cultural and Educational Exchanges
The signing ceremony will take place in the ancient Chinese art section of the Smithsonian's Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Avenue, SW). ... [Read More]
USIS Washington File: TRANSCRIPT: PRESIDENT CLINTON AT XIAN WELCOMING CEREMONY
Here in this ancient capital, China seems very young to me tonight, blessed with both a proud history and the promise of tomorrow. I am delighted to begin my journey in Xian, once the capital of China, still the heartland of the Chinese people. I was raised in the heartland of my country. I know that the character of a nation is determined by the hard-working people who live here. ... Let us give new meaning to the words written in the ancient Book of Rites, what you call the Li Shi: When the great way is followed, all under heaven will be equal. ... [Read More]
Printable version – Global IQ Quiz – International Education Week 2004
2. Acupuncture, an ancient medical treatment using needles to relieve pain and treat diseases, originated in which Asian country? ... 3. The Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was located in the harbor of Alexandria. This city is in what country in northern Africa? ... [Read More]
China (includes Hong Kong and Macau)
Tibet University, which has 3,000 students, was established to train Tibetan teachers for the local educational system. Ethnic Tibetans resent the disproportionate Han representation in the student body and faculty. Tibetans, officially said to constitute approximately 95 percent of the region's population, make up approximately 67 percent of Tibet University's student body and only 50 percent of the faculty. Although Tibetans are given admission preference, Han Chinese students frequently gain admission because they score higher on admission exams due to stronger Chinese-language skills and educational backgrounds. Authorities reportedly require professors, particularly those from Tibet University's Tibetan Language Department, which is viewed as a potential source of dissent, to attend political education sessions and limit course studies and materials in an effort to prevent "separatist" political and religious activity on campus. Many ancient or religi ... [Read More]
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