T/HCPA 001-2025 Return to the Standard Terminology for Cultural Relics
T/HCPA 001-2025
Basic Information
Scope
Scope: This standard specifies the commonly used terms and definitions in the repatriation of cultural relics and related management activities, and is applicable to all aspects of the repatriation of cultural relics, including their retrieval, acceptance, identification, registration, protection, restoration, research, exhibition, and cross-departmental and cross-border cooperation. This standard can also provide reference for supporting regulations, technical specifications, management processes, information system construction, and related teaching, scientific research, and social publicity for repatriated cultural relics. Main technical content: The main technical content includes 28 terms and definitions, some of which are as follows: 3.1 Lost Cultural Relics: Cultural relics that leave the territory of their original country or legally protected areas due to war, illegal excavation, smuggling, illicit transactions, or other non-normal means. Note 1: "Lost cultural relics" in this standard specifically refer to cultural relics that were originally located in China but now exist abroad. Note 2: Whether a cultural relic is "lost" can be determined based on legal basis, historical documents, and ownership identification, among other factors. 3.2 Suspected Lost Cultural Relics: Artworks or cultural relics whose sources, actual ownership, or excavation sites are uncertain or disputed, but which may potentially be lost cultural relics. 3.3 Contested Cultural Relics: Cultural relics over which there are serious disputes or legal litigations regarding ownership, repatriation procedures, or legal sources between the cultural relic holder, the state, or relevant institutions. 3.4 Returned Cultural Relics: Cultural relics that have returned to China from abroad through legal and compliant procedures with international conventions or domestic regulations, including but not limited to the following methods: diplomatic negotiations for return, donations (from individu