Laws of the People's Republic of China

Whoever excavates and robs a site of ancient culture or ancient tomb of historical, artistic or scientific value shall be sentenced to fixed- term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years, and may concurrently be punished with a fine; if the circumstances are relatively minor, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention, and may concurrently be punished with a fine; and, under any of the following circumstances, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years, or life imprisonment or death, and shall concurrently be punished with a fine or confiscation of property:

(1) Excavating and robbing a site of ancient culture or ancient tomb which is designated as major sites to be protected for their historical and cultural value at the national level or at the provincial level;

(2) Being the ringleader of a gang engaged in excavating and robbing sites of ancient culture or ancient tombs;

(3) Excavating and robbing sites of ancient culture or ancient tombs for many times;

(4) Excavating a site of ancient culture or ancient tomb, and robbing valuable cultural relics therein, or causing serious damage to valuable cultural relics therein.

All cultural relics seized from excavating and robbing sites of ancient culture or ancient tombs shall be recovered.