According to China Central Television (CCTV), the French National Assembly recently passed a bill with 170 votes in favor and none against, simplifying the procedure for returning cultural relics plundered during France's colonial era.Speaking at the session, lawmaker Jérémie Patrier-Leitus quoted the dream of renowned French writer Victor Hugo: "France will transform itself and return the ill-gotten treasures to a plundered China," stating bluntly that "this day has finally come."
The bill covers cultural relics acquired by France between 1815 and 1972. It will go through a final vote after the National Assembly and the Senate reach an agreement. In addition, lawmakers also passed a clause requiring the government to release an annual list of artifacts suspected of being illegally acquired.
