RENEE MONTAGNE, host: NPR's business news starts with China threatening to get back its Christie.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: The International Auction House just sold two ancient Chinese bronze sculptures in France. Those pieces were part of the art collection owned by the late designer Yves Saint Laurent. The government in Beijing says the pieces should be returned to China, where they were looted in the 19th century. It demanded the auction be cancelled. But, Christie's went ahead sold the items for $36 million. Now Beijing said it is acting against Christie's in China. The government ordered officials to tighten up the inspection of art that the Auction House brings in and out of China, making it harder for the company to do business there.
Christie's, the international auction house, just sold two ancient Chinese bronze sculptures in France that were part of the art collection owned by late designer Yves Saint Laurent. Beijing says the pieces should have been returned to China, where they were looted in the 19th century, and it demanded that the auction be canceled. But Christie's went ahead and sold the items for $36 million. Beijing has ordered officials to tighten inspection of items that the auction house brings in and out of China, making it harder for the company to do business there.