Relics theft and damage

The theft of an ancient window carving at Dongyue Temple in Chaoyang district is just the latest of several incidents involving theft or damage to cultural relics, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

The tomb of Prince Gong, who was born in the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), has also been damaged and stolen from several times.

Kong Fanzhi, former director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage (BMACH), has recommended that reproductions of smaller cultural relics be made to keep them from being damaged.

Zhao Jianming, head of law enforcement bureau under the BMACH, said that they will recruit volunteers to inspect cultural relics sites.