守护文明瑰宝归国路，共赴中美关系新航程

Jointly Bring Cultural Treasures Home and Embark on a New Chapter in the China-U.S. Relationship

——谢锋大使在中国文物艺术品和古生物化石返还交接仪式上的致辞

尊敬的饶权副部长，

马约拉尔助理局长，

各位来宾，各位朋友：

Vice Minister Rao Quan,

Assistant Director Ricardo Mayoral,

Distinguished guests,

Dear friends,

欢迎大家莅临中国驻美国使馆，很高兴同大家共同见证中国文物艺术品和古生物化石回归祖国！此次文物返还，既是中美互利共赢合作的一大成果，也是文化遗产保护事业的一件盛事。首先，感谢美国国土安全调查局特别是“文化财产、艺术品与古物项目组”长期以来为推动文物返还付出的不懈努力，并向所有致力于这一事业的中美机构、文物工作者和各界人士致以崇高敬意！

It is a great pleasure to welcome all of you to the Chinese Embassy in the United States, and witness together the return of Chinese cultural relics and fossils to their motherland. Today’s handover is both a major achievement in mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the United States, and also a significant moment in the preservation of cultural heritage. To start with, I would like to thank Homeland Security Investigations, and in particular the Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Program, for their unremitting efforts to support the repatriation of cultural property. Let me also pay tribute to organizations, cultural workers and friends in both our countries who have been committed to this noble cause.

文物返还是正义之灯，守护人类共同的文明瑰宝。文物是不可再生的珍贵资源。习近平主席强调，“保护文物功在当代、利在千秋。”打击非法贩运、推动文物返还是正义之举，也是人类共同事业。今天交接的文物多达10批次58件，包含了中美主管部门多年通力合作的成果。其中有一尊来自山西天龙山石窟的菩萨像，是百余年前就遭到劫掠、流落海外的艺术珍品，今天终于踏上归途。其他的陶俑、石像、古生物化石，也具有很高的历史、文化和科学价值。它们的回归，体现了中美双方对历史的负责、对文明的尊重、对正义的坚守，为全球范围内合作追索返还流失文物树立了积极示范。众人拾柴火焰高。中国愿同美方和更多国家一道，共担文化遗产保护使命，推动人类文明传承发展。

The repatriation of cultural property serves as a beacon of justice, safeguarding the shared cultural heritage of humanity. Cultural relics are invaluable and non-renewable resources. As President Xi Jinping emphasized, “The preservation of cultural relics both benefits people today and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.” Combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property and facilitating its repatriation is a just cause pursued by all humanity. Today, we are witnessing the handover of 58 artifacts of 10 batches, which would not have been possible without the collaboration between the competent authorities of our two countries over the years. Among them is a Bodhisattva statue of the Tianlongshan Grottoes in Shanxi Province. Looted and trafficked overseas more than 100 years ago, it could finally return home today. The other relics, including pottery figurines, stone statues and fossils, also hold significant historical, cultural and scientific value. Their return demonstrates our two countries’ shared responsibility to history, our respect for civilization, and our commitment to justice, and has set a shining example for global cooperation in the restitution and return of illegally trafficked cultural property. As the proverb goes, “Many hands make light work.” China stands ready to continue working with the U.S. and more countries to fulfill our mission of preserving cultural heritage, and carry forward the flame of human civilization.

文物返还是进步之梯，见证中华文脉的赓续新生。伴随着民族复兴的东风浩荡，流失海外的中国文物不仅越来越多踏上归途，而且得到越来越好的保护利用，焕发新的时代光彩。在良渚遗址，VR眼镜重现5000多年前的恢宏古城。在安阳殷墟，人工智能破译3000多年前的甲骨文密码。去年从美国回归的子弹库帛书，已经与国内珍藏的帛书残片“团圆重逢”，并获得多学科综合释读。相信今天这批文物回到原生故乡，将更好地“活起来”，为中华文明和世界文明进步再添新动力。中国文化遗产保护始终坚持开放包容、融通中外，我们愿积极分享经验和成果，同各方一道践行全球文明倡议，让世界文明百花园群芳竞艳。

The repatriation of cultural property sets up a ladder of progress, bearing witness to the continuation and renewal of the Chinese civilization. With the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, more and more displaced Chinese cultural relics are returning home, where they are being better protected, utilized, and given new life. At the Liangzhu site in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the over 5,000-year-old ancient city is brought back to life through VR glasses. At the Yin Ruins in Anyang, Henan Province, artificial intelligence is helping decipher oracle bone script from over 3,000 years ago. I am glad to share with you that the Zidanku silk manuscript, which returned to China from the U.S. last year, has reunited with other fragments at home, and is now undergoing comprehensive multidisciplinary decipherment. I believe that after returning to their homeland, the cultural relics handed over today will also gain a new life, and inject fresh impetus into the development of both Chinese and world civilizations. China upholds openness, inclusiveness, and exchanges with the world in the preservation of cultural heritage. We are willing to actively share our experience and achievements, and work together with all to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, so that all civilizations will flourish and bloom.

文物返还是合作之桥，拓宽互利共赢的光明大道。文物返还是中美合作的快车道、高产田。文物执法合作成果丰硕，双方自2009年签署合作文件以来，在防范文物非法贩运、打击跨国文物犯罪和促进返还方面开展了一系列务实合作，合力促成多批次流失美国的中国文物艺术品回归。文博机构合作渐入佳境，馆际借展、对话交流、数字活化、学术互通亮点纷呈，华美协进社近期推出的中国艺术重磅新展大受欢迎，芝加哥大学助力天龙山石窟“云上回家”，中华艺术珍宝得以“数字重生”，惊艳世界。民间善意和义举热潮涌动，驻美使领馆不断收到各界友好人士返还的中国文物。美国加州的苏珊娜女士将两尊陶俑送还中国时说，不是因为金钱或政治，是因为爱的力量以及对中国人民的尊重，道出了中美人民相知相亲的真诚心声。

The repatriation of cultural property also builds a bridge of cooperation, broadening the path to win-win cooperation. Law enforcement cooperation in protecting cultural property has become a highlight of China-U.S. cooperation, yielding fruitful outcomes. Since the signing of an MOU for cooperation in 2009, the two sides have engaged in practical cooperation to prevent the illicit trafficking of and combat cross-border crimes involving cultural relics, and facilitate their repatriation, bringing multiple batches of Chinese cultural property in the U.S. back home. Cultural institutions and museums in both countries have also been working more closely together, carrying out inter-museum loan programs, dialogue, digital revitalization, and academic exchanges. The latest exhibition “Selections from Three Millennia of Chinese Art” presented by China Institute Gallery has been a big hit. The University of Chicago virtually reconstructed the Tianlongshan Grottoes, imbuing ancient Chinese art treasures with new vitality. People have also pitched in, and our Embassy and Consulates-General in the U.S. have been receiving cultural relics returned by friends from various sectors. When Ms. Suzanne Fratus from California returned two pottery figurines to China, she said, “It is not through money or politics that these figurines have come home to you. They were returned through the power of love and respect for you, the Chinese people.” This speaks volumes about the affinity and goodwill between our two peoples.

各位朋友！

Dear friends,

文明不朽，瑰宝流光。中美文物返还合作的佳绩再次证明，只要双方秉持平等、尊重、互惠的精神相向而行、积极合作，完全可以办成许多大事、实事、好事，造福两国、惠及世界。今年是中美关系“大年”，两国元首5月在北京举行历史性会晤，确立了中美建设性战略稳定关系的新定位。本次文物返还就是双方落实这一新定位的可视化成果。中方愿同美方一道，落实两国元首重要共识，释放互利合作潜力，推动中美关系沿着建设性战略稳定的新航程行稳致远，共同走出一条相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的新时代大国正确相处之道！

Civilizations live on, and cultural treasures never cease to shine through the ages. China-U.S. cooperation on the repatriation of cultural property has proven once again that, as long as our two countries work in the same direction in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, we are fully capable of accomplishing many great and concrete things, for the good of our two countries and the whole world. This year is a big year for China-U.S. relations. At their historic summit this May in Beijing, our heads of state agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability. The handover today is a tangible outcome of our joint efforts to act on the new vision. China stands ready to work with the U.S. side to continue implementing our Presidents’ important consensus, unlock the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the sustained development of China-U.S. relations along the track of constructive strategic stability, and jointly find a path for our two major countries to get along in the new era based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.