Sunday Feature: Palace of ShameSeries 1, episode 0Chris Bowlby uncovers the fate of the imperial summer palace in Beijing, an extraordinary collection of beautiful architecture, landscapes and precious art that was looted by invading French and British troops in 1860. Then the British commander, Lord Elgin, ordered its complete destruction. It was a dramatic moment of 'national humiliation' every Chinese schoolchild learns about today, encouraged by the communist government. Chris discovers why it happened, with a surprising personal twist along the way. Including a rare interview with the current Lord Elgin, who explains his family's controversial role in imperial history. And Chris hears how some of the looted art still sits in British museums and re-emerges in lucrative auctions, while angry Chinese voices, including martial arts star Jackie Chan, demand its return Click to see when Sunday Feature, Palace of Shame is coming up on UK TV |
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