liú shī流失wén wù文物：zhōng guó中国yāo qiú要求rì běn日本lǚ xíng履行guó jì国际guī huán归还yì wù义务
Recently, “returning lost cultural relics” has become a hot topic in Chinese media discussions.
Many news reports mentioned France’s new approach and compared it with Japan’s attitude, drawing wide attention from readers.
The reports said that France recently passed a new law that simplifies the procedure for returning cultural relics.
This makes it easier for cultural relics illegally obtained during war or colonial times to be returned to their original countries.
Chinese media believe that France’s approach shows respect for history and a sense of moral responsibility, and it has won praise from the international community.
By contrast, Chinese media expressed concern about Japan’s attitude.
The reports noted that Japan still holds a large number of cultural relics looted from China.
For example, there is the “Tang Hongludingjing” inscribed stone kept in the Japanese Imperial Palace, as well as the stone lions at the entrance of Yasukuni Shrine.
These cultural relics are not only precious works of art, but also witnesses to that painful period of history.
According to international conventions and relevant historical agreements, cultural relics looted during war should be returned.
The Chinese government has repeatedly asked Japan to return the relevant cultural relics, but Japan often refuses, citing “domestic law” or “complicated procedures.”
Chinese media commented that Japan should, like France, face up to history and fulfill its international obligations.
Returning cultural relics is not just sending back an object; it is an important step toward facing the past and moving toward the future.
The media believe that only by treating historical issues sincerely can countries build deeper trust with one another.
Now, more and more countries are supporting the return of cultural relics, and people are also watching to see whether Japan can follow the trend of the times.