US returns ancient cultural artifacts, dinosaur fossil to China

Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the US, speaks during a repatriation ceremony in Washington D.C., the United States, Dec 10, 2015. The United States returned 22 Chinese artifacts and a dinosaur fossil to China on Thursday, highlighting the two world powers' cooperation to counter illicit trafficking of archeological objects. [Photo/Xinhua]

The United States returned 22 Chinese artifacts and a dinosaur fossil to China on Thursday, highlighting the two world powers' cooperation to counter illicit trafficking of archeological objects.

"Their return to China will facilitate our fight against illicit trade in archeological objects, and help us better preserve cultural heritage for our future generations," Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the US, said during a repatriation ceremony here.

As one of the important deliverables of President Xi Jinping's state visit to the US in September, China and the US reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation on preserving cultural heritage by agreeing on returning forfeited Chinese artifacts, Cui said.

The dinosaur fossil was estimated to be approximately 120 million years old, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release.