Authorities deny thwarting auction

Chinese cultural relics authorities have denied involvement in the sabotage of the 30-million-euro ($40 million) sale of two bronzes in Paris last week, while reiterating its stance that the items belonged to China.

They also said they did not know who was behind the bid for the relics until Monday, when Chinese antiques collector Cai Mingchao revealed he was the mystery bidder, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday.

Cai later refused to pay for the bronzes as an act of patriotism.