Digital Strategies for Cultural Repatriation: Insights and Challenges from Source Nations

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

In the contemporary era, the digital realm has emerged as a transformative force in the preservation and restitution of cultural artifacts. This study analyzes the conceptual framework, modalities, and existing scholarly discourse surrounding the digital repatriation of cultural artifacts. Through a tracking investigation of digital repatriation practices, we critically examine the complexities and dilemmas inherent in the digital repatriation process, recognizing that while it offers unprecedented opportunities for cultural restitution, it also presents challenges that must be navigated with care. Based on the analyses, this paper utilizes China’s initiative for the digital repatriation of its lost cultural artifacts as a case study, highlighting the pivotal role of the source nation in asserting its primary agency. By focusing on exploring the process and mechanisms of digital repatriation, the paper provides a nuanced understanding of the issues at stake and the potential solutions that can be applied. It advocates for key elements such as the sharing of digital copyrights and the establishment of cooperative mechanisms, promoting diverse collaborations and ongoing advancements in the utilization of digital repatriation diplomacy.