Man Charged With Stealing Rare Chinese Manuscripts

Jeffery Ying, a 38-year-old California resident, has been charged with stealing rare Chinese manuscripts valued at $216,000 from the University of California, Los Angeles library. Authorities allege Ying used multiple aliases and false identities to access and check out classic works, some over 600 years old, before returning counterfeit versions and traveling to China shortly afterward. During a search of Ying's hotel room, investigators found blank manuscripts and pre-made asset tags believed to be used for creating dummy replacements. Ying also possessed several library cards under different names. If convicted of theft of a major artwork, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. The case underscores both the growing demand for Chinese cultural artifacts and China's national interest in reclaiming heritage objects.