Chinese, Japanese groups issue joint call for Japan to return Tang dynasty stele

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Xinlu LiangJanuary 17, 2026 at 01:30 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Chinese researchers and Japanese activists have jointly called for Japan to return the Tang Honglu Well Stele, a Tang dynasty relic looted over 120 years ago. The call, made by Shanghai University's Research Centre for Chinese Relics Overseas and Japanese cultural groups, urges Tokyo to "correct historical errors." The 9.5-tonne stone monument, erected in 714 AD, is seen as evidence of China's early sovereignty over its northeastern territories. The renewed effort to reclaim the stele coincides with rising regional tensions and China's ongoing campaign to recover its cultural heritage. The joint declaration was issued alongside the release of a new book, Compendium of Archival Documents on the Tang Honglu Well Stele.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Liaoning province 30% Liaodong peninsula 40% Xinhua 40% Tokyo 50% Japanese cultural groups 60% Shanghai University’s Research Centre for Chinese Relics Overseas 70% China ×280% Japan ×280% Tang dynasty ×490%

Keywords

cultural heritage 90% relic return 80% tang dynasty 80% stele 70% japan 60% historical errors 60% china 60% sovereignty 50% looted artifact 50% regional tensions 40%