China seeks return of statue

Netherlands asked to assist in repatriation of missing relic

A senior Chinese official has called on the Netherlands to offer "fair judicial support" in a case in which Chinese villagers are seeking the return from a Dutch collector of a stolen ancient Buddha statue with a mummified monk inside.

Liu Yuzhu, Party secretary and head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, told reporters on Friday that both China and the Netherlands are bound by international treaties banning theft, smuggling and illegal excavation of cultural relics.