The Australian government returned 750 kilograms of illegally imported dinosaur, mammal and reptile fossils to the Chinese government in Canberra on Tuesday.

At the handover ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy, the Chinese ambassador Zhang Junsai expressed thanks to the Australian government for returning 750 kilograms of fossils to the Chinese government.

A handout photograph made available January 15, 2008 shows four large rounded eggs of a sauropod dinosaur. The sauropods were giant long necked herbivores. The fossilised eggs are part of an illegal haul of 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) of fossils imported into Australia and returned to China at a ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday. (photo: agencies via Chinan Daily)

Zhang said the Australian government has done a commendable job in tracking down the fossils and returning every single piece of them to their rightful owners.

"The long-standing partnership between the Chinese and Australian government in cracking down on the illicit sales of movable natural and cultural heritage has indeed set an outstanding example of international cooperation in this field." he said.

A handout photograph made available January 15, 2008 shows part of the skeleton of a Keichousaurus, a small long-necked marine reptile from the Triassic period (around 230 million years ago). The fossil is part of an illegal haul of 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) of fossils imported into Australia and returned to China at a ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday. (photo: agencies via China Daily)

Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett said at the ceremony that the successful operations "have sent a strong message to the world that Australia will not tolerate illicit trade in cultural heritage objects", and his government was delighted to work with the Chinese government to return these illegal imports to ensure they are protected for future generations.

A handout photograph made available January 15, 2008 shows a teleost (ray finned) fish, from the early Cretaceous Period (around 120 million years ago). The fossil is part of an illegal haul of 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) of fossils imported into Australia and returned to China at a ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday. (photo: agencies via China Daily)

A handout photograph made available January 15, 2008 shows six large elongated raptor eggs. The raptors were small carnivorous dinosaurs that hunted in packs. The fossilised eggs are part of an illegal haul of 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) of fossils imported into Australia and returned to China at a ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday. (photo: agencies via China Daily)

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2008)