Repatriation of cultural objects: The case of China

The issue of Chinese cultural relics ‘lost’ in modern Chinese history is the main concern in this study. Following an introductory chapter, I identify some specific cases of the loss of Chinese cultural relics and explore the legal regime on the protection of cultural heritage. The case studies are designed to assess the possibility of seeking legal remedies of restitution under the contemporary legal regime. After the legal analysis, I examine the cultural and ethical issues underpinning the international conventions protecting cultural heritage, and the claims seeking for the return of cultural heritage. Related issues, including cultural identity, right to cultural heritage, multiculturalism, the politics of recognition, human rights, cosmopolitanism, are discussed. In the concluding chapter, I come to answer the research questions and put forward some suggestions for future research.