A stone statuette of horse, which was believed to come from a tomb from Guizhou province during Yuan or Ming Dynasty. [Photo/Provided by the National Cultural Heritage Administration]

"The consistent action showed our determination to crack down on crime and repatriate lost relics," Guan said.

He considered the successful case also set a good example for the international community, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which was signed in 1970.

All the returned relics are virtually displayed on the official website of the National Cultural Heritage Administration.