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When we visit museums, we see cultural artifacts(古器物). However, debate surrounds(围绕)these artifacts and whether or not countries should return these if they were stolen.

By the 18th and19th centuries, European countries such as Britain, France, and the Nether-lands had ruled many African and Asian countries. During their rule, they brought artifacts to their own countries, showing in museums.

Over the years, European museums have been asked to give back the artifacts. In 2009, Egypt demanded that France return five pieces of a wall painting. In 2012, Nigeria asked for the return of thirty-two cultural items. In 2017, the Government of Benin tried to reach an argument with the British Museum to return their Benin Bronzes.

The debate took a turn in 2018 when under President Macron: all objects brought to French museums would be returned! With the official report, museums all across Europe began reconsidering their previous policies(政策).

In France, twenty-seven artifacts had been identified for return, but only one has been returned. Then, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, France’s National Assembly officially passed a bill(法案) promising the return of these artifacts, but didn’t set a certain date.

Those who suggest returning these objects to their homes argue that with technology enabling online museum tours, returning these artifacts to their homeland does not take away the opportunity to learn about them.

Those against the return hold the view that culture is a shared treasure and the artifacts are in fact “cultural ambassadors(外交)” that promote(增进) understanding. They believe that while stealing them was wrong, history is full of “good” and “bad” actors. Moreover, they feel that keeping the cultural objects in the current museums has kept millions of artifacts safe from damage.