Nearly 200 missing cultural treasures which originally adorned the well-known imperial garden of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing have been returned recently, Thursday's Beijing Daily reported.

Yuanmingyuan, or the old Summer Palace in the northwest of Beijing, was built from 1709 onwards and burned down by the British and French aggressor troops in 1860. Now it serves as a cultural heritage site reminding people of China's tragic history.

The returned cultural treasures, including vases, stone, copper and jade ware, were donated by local citizens in response to a call made by the Yuanmingyuan administration.

Most of the donors are citizens who are descendants of ancient imperial officials or those who used to live near the palace.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2002)