The Australian government has formally informed China on the seizure of 20 tonnes of fossils alleged illegally exported from China in the state of Western Australia, showing the intention to return them home.
The fossils were seized last week when Australian Federal Police raided a home and two shops about 75 kilometers south of Perth, capital of Western Australia, government officials said Thursday.
The haul, which was resulted from year-long joint efforts with Chinese authorities, included 100 million-year-old dinosaur eggs, nests and skulls, and fossils of tortoise and fish.
The seizure is the largest haul of the kind for Australia, with netting 1,300 fossils with a total value of millions of dollars.
The fossils are identified by Australian paleontology experts to have come from China's Liaoning Province, which is regarded as one of the world's top spots for dinosaur research.
Kevin Wohlers, director of the federal Department of Environment's Movable Cultural Heritage Unit, said the raid has basically stemmed from China's request to assist them to halt the illegal trade of Chinese fossils.
Import of such fossils into Australia is legal, but it is illegal to export them from China. Violators can be prosecuted under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act.
Officials from both countries have pointed out to the fact that much attention has been attached to the bilateral cooperation in checking the illegal trade.
"The Australian government takes the issue very seriously, and it has been extremely happy to get this sort of result to assist the Chinese in their efforts to stem the trade," Wohlers said, adding the Chinese government may apply for the return of the fossils.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy has confirmed that Australian officials have formally informed it of the seizure in Perth.
Wang Zhigang, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, told Xinhua that no application for the return of the fossils has been made so far as the investigation is still going on as was told by the Australian side.
The police are still trying to find out the intended destination of the fossils as yet unclear, according to Australian officials.
Wang expressed satisfaction over the years of cooperation with Australia in fighting against illegally exporting relics from China.
He disclosed that the Perth seizure coincides with next Monday's handover to China of 32 dinosaur eggs seized by Australian customs in the past.
(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2004)
