January 15, 2014
On Monday, the United States and the Government of The People’s Republic of China announced that they have extended the bilateral agreement between these two countries in the continued efforts to protect the archaeological heritage of China. This agreement began in 2009 with the imposition of import restrictions on artifacts from China into the United States in the efforts to help prevent the pillage of China’s rich archaeological heritage, including archaeological material from the Paleolithic Period through the Tang Dynasty and monumental sculpture and wall art that is at least 250 years old. Effective January 14, 2014, the agreement has been extended for a period of five years.
The AIA would like to thank all of its members who submitted letters to Washington D.C. and CPAC in support of this extension. Public comments are an important part of the extension process, and we are thankful to have such an active group of supporters at the AIA!
For more information on this extension, visit the U.S. Cultural Heritage Center website for China at http://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/international-cultural-property-protection/bilateral-agreements/china. To view the original press release, visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/01/219636.htm.
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