Australia returns ancient stone heads to China after 30 years

Key facts

• Two stone statue heads from the Northern Song dynasty were returned to China by Australia.
• The relics were handed over on Wednesday at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
• The statues represent a military official and a civil servant, originating from imperial mausoleums in Henan province.
• The National Gallery of Australia acquired the relics in 1995.
• China formally requested the return of the statues in 2025 after investigations.

Australia has returned two ancient stone statue heads to China, marking the repatriation of cultural relics after more than 30 years abroad. The statues, depicting a military official and a civil servant from the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127), were handed over on Wednesday at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. China's National Cultural Heritage Administration received the relics, which originated from imperial mausoleums in Henan province. The National Gallery of Australia acquired the statues in 1995, and China formally requested their return in 2025 following investigations. Officials from both countries attended the handover ceremony, emphasizing collaboration and respect for cultural heritage.