Originally Posted by Khamudy

Well given the fact that it was the ordinary people who largely carried out the Cultural Revolution under government influence, but this is perhaps a controversial view, since current thinking is to minimise and understate the damage that was done. However, given the nature of Chinese officialdom that was exposed during the Olympics, it is extremely hard not to be cynical of anything presented as being "grass roots", simply because the government is very good at silencing things it does not want people to see.

This just seems like a manufactured controversy; if they really wanted the objects back, they could put together a bid, petition the Chinese government to put together a bid or even attempt to make a diplomatic mission to negotiate for the return.

It is also interesting that this becomes such an issue not so long after the French government received the Dalai Lama. It just seems like another way to bully the French government and stir up anti-French sentiment.