In 2004, China submitted a request to the United States for import restrictions on archaeological materials, pursuant to the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act.  At the public hearing held before the Cultural Property Advisory Committee, the Lawyers’ Committee submitted a statement in support of China’s request (Read CPAC Statement). On January 14, 2009, the United States and the People’s Republic of China entered into a bilateral agreement, imposing import restrictions on undocumented archaeological materials that belong to certain designated categories. The archaeological materials subject to import restriction represent China’s cultural heritage from the Paleolithic Period (beginning approximately 75,000 B.C.) through the end of the Tang Dynasty (907 A.D.) and monumental sculpture and wall art that is at least 250 years old. The designated categories of objects include bronze vessels, sculpture, coins, wall paintings, and objects of iron, gold, silver, bone, ivory, horn and shell, as well as silks, textiles, lacquer, bamboo, paper, wood, and glass. (Read DHS Import Restrictions Document)