In light of what is encountered in judicial practice, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has discussed the question of the applicability of the relevant provisions of the Criminal Law to smuggling, stealing, destroying, selling or illegally transferring of the fossils of paleovertebrates and paleoanthropoids of scientific value and gives the interpretation as follows:

The provisions of the Criminal Law on culture relics are applicable to the fossils of paleovertebrates and paleoanthropoids of scientific value.

This Interpretation is hereby announced.