This podcast episode investigates a series of art heists targeting Chinese antiquities from museums across Europe and Scandinavia between 2010 and 2019. The hosts discuss the historical context of these thefts, linking them to the "Century of Humiliation" and the subsequent rise of the Chinese art market. They analyze several specific heists, noting the professionalism of some thieves and the apparent ineptitude of others, ultimately questioning whether the Chinese government was directly involved or if the lucrative art market was the primary motivator. The discussion highlights the complexities of art repatriation and the challenges faced by museums in balancing their responsibility to return looted artifacts with their own preservation efforts. A key example is the theft of artifacts from the Old Summer Palace, a significant symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.
