The sacking of Beiijing's old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, by Anglo-French forces remains a particularly sore spot for many Chinese people.

And most believe the countless relics looted at the time should be returned to China. Tracking down these priceless items is no easy matter though.

A group of Chinese archaeologists has recently returned from the United States, where they've been carrying out research into the whereabouts of the ancient pieces that disappeared in the 19th century.