A group of Han Dynasty (202 BC to 220 AD) figurines. [Photo/Provided by the National Cultural Heritage Administration]

In January, the Metropolitan Police Service in London informed the Chinese embassy again that the whereabouts of the buyer were unknown, and the deadline of prosecution had passed, showing an intention to transfer the ownership back to China.

The procedure to bring them home was immediately initiated. In spite of delays brought by the outbreak of COVID-19, Yu Peng, minister counselor from the embassy, led a team to check the inventory in July, finally confirming there were 68 relics in total. He was also in charge of contact with the British police 25 years ago.

The Metropolitan Police Service handed over the 68 relics to the Chinese embassy in October, and they safely arrived in Beijing on Oct 20.