Returned cultural relics embody China-Italy cooperation in cultural heritage: official

The returned cultural relics from Italy to China have embodied the fruitful cooperation in cultural heritage between the two countries, said an official from China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA).

Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Italian President Sergio Mattarella appreciated some of the 56 Chinese cultural relics recently returned by Italy at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday.

The cultural relics displayed to the two heads of state were painted potteries of the Majiayao culture which originated in the upper reaches of the Yellow River and its tributaries. With around 5,000 years of history, the culture forms a significant part of the origin of the Chinese civilization.

Wen Dayan, director general of NCHA's international cooperation department, said that the returned cultural relics epitomize mutual exchanges and learning between the two ancient civilizations.

"This time, the Italian government returned 56 cultural relics to China, and today we showed the eight most representative pieces, which basically cover the main archaeological types of the Majiayao culture of the Neolithic Age in China. Both China and Italy are influential ancient civilizations. Actually, in 2006, the two countries signed a bilateral agreement to prevent the smuggling of cultural relics. In March 2019, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the cultural heritage authorities of Italy renewed an inter-governmental memorandum of understanding on preventing the illegal entry and exit of cultural relics and promoting their return. It is under such a legal and diplomatic framework that we can witness the return of 56 lost Chinese cultural artifacts to their motherland today," said Wen.

"What the two heads of state appreciated are not only these Chinese cultural relics, but also the long-standing Chinese civilization, as well as the fruits in cultural heritage cooperation and cultural exchange and mutual learning between two ancient civilizations in this era. The work on returning lost Chinese cultural relics has endowed us with high contemporary value and lasting historical value," he said.

Mattarella is on a state visit to China scheduled for Nov 7 to 12, at the invitation of Xi.

Italy's latest return of Chinese cultural relics is vivid example of China-Italy friendship: Chinese official

A memorial event was held at Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Aktau on Thursday to mourn the victims of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash.

Locals, united in sorrow, have gathered in front of the consulate, laying flowers in memory of those who lost their lives.

Amidst the mourning, Kazakhstan's officials have also visited the consulate, expressing their deepest condolences and reaffirming their commitment to stand by Azerbaijan during this painful time.

Aykhan Suleymanov, Consul General of Azerbaijan in the Aktau, met the families of the victims and other officials. He offered his condolences and support during the meeting.

The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines with flight number J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

Of all the 67 people on board, 38 were killed in the crash, and 29 survivors including two children were pulled from the wreckage, Kazakh authorities said on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Aktau holds memorial for plane crash victims