Core Points - The return of the "Zidan Ku" silk manuscripts, specifically the second volume "Wuxing Ling" and the third volume "Gongshou Zhan," marks a significant cultural heritage cooperation success between China and the United States, enhancing cultural exchanges and friendship between the two nations [6][8][12] - The "Zidan Ku" silk manuscripts, discovered in 1942, are the only known silk manuscripts from the Warring States period, consisting of three volumes with over 900 characters, making them invaluable for the study of ancient Chinese philosophy, military strategy, and early Chinese writing [9][10][11] - The manuscripts' return is part of a broader effort by China to reclaim cultural artifacts lost overseas, with recent progress highlighted by the return of 213 items in 2024 from various countries, including the United States [14][15] Summary by Sections Cultural Significance - The "Zidan Ku" silk manuscripts are crucial for understanding ancient Chinese thought, military tactics, and the development of early Chinese characters, with the "Wuxing Ling" and "Gongshou Zhan" providing insights into lunar calendars and military strategies [9][10][11] - The manuscripts are considered the earliest known silk texts in China, contributing significantly to the fields of ancient literature and historical studies [9][10] Return Process - The return of the manuscripts was facilitated by a combination of legal frameworks, including the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention, which address the illegal export and transfer of cultural property [11][12] - The successful negotiation for the return involved extensive research into the manuscripts' provenance and historical context, culminating in a formal request submitted to the Smithsonian Institution [12][13] International Cooperation - The return of the manuscripts reflects a growing trend in international cooperation regarding cultural heritage, with the "Qingdao Proposal" serving as a framework for addressing the repatriation of artifacts acquired through colonial or unethical means [14][17] - The collaboration between Chinese authorities and U.S. institutions, such as the Smithsonian, highlights the importance of ethical stewardship in museum practices and the potential for future partnerships in cultural heritage preservation [13][14]

Core Points - The return of the earliest known Chinese silk texts, the "Wuxing Ling" and "Gongshou Zhan," marks a significant achievement in China's efforts to reclaim cultural artifacts lost abroad through "source research and proactive reclamation" [1][2][3] - The silk texts, discovered in 1942 and illegally exported in 1946, are the only known texts from the Warring States period and hold immense value for the study of ancient Chinese literature and thought [1][2] - The return was facilitated by a collaborative effort between Chinese researchers and the Smithsonian Institution, highlighting a growing consensus on the ethical return of cultural artifacts [2][3][4] Summary by Sections Artifact Details - The returned silk texts consist of 132 pieces, including "Wuxing Ling," which discusses seasonal guidelines based on the five elements, and "Gongshou Zhan," which provides strategic advice on siege warfare [1][2] Institutional Background - The artifacts were housed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art since their donation in 1992, where they were recorded, studied, and preserved [2] - The Smithsonian's 2022 policy on ethical return of artifacts reflects a shift towards addressing the moral implications of artifact acquisition [2][4] Reclamation Process - The Chinese government initiated a thorough source investigation and established a solid evidence chain regarding the illegal export of the artifacts, leading to a formal request for their return in April 2024 [2][4] - The "Qingdao Proposal," launched in 2024, aims to address the international issue of reclaiming artifacts lost due to colonialism and unethical practices [2][4] Significance of the Return - The successful return of the silk texts is seen as a landmark case for China's proactive reclamation efforts and serves as a reference for other nations seeking to reclaim lost cultural heritage [3][5] - The collaboration between China and the U.S. on this issue underscores the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in cultural heritage discussions [3][4]