New is old and old is popular.

Increasing numbers of Beijing residents are satisfying their interest in ancient Chinese culture by buying replicas of antiques at markets around the capital.

Buying replicas of antiques has become a fad among many Beijingers. [newsphoto.com.cn]

"The reason is obvious: special markets such as Panjiayuan, Guanyuan and Antiques City can provide replicas of antiques at low prices," said Shu Lianyou, a replica antiques collector who regularly visits Panjiayuan flea market.

"Because they look very similar to real antiques, these replicas can satisfy the demands of numerous history lovers."

Shu's great-grandfather was a relative of the royal family and later became a rich official in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). As a die-hard connoisseur of cultural relics, he collected a wide range of precious antiques.

But these antiques were gradually lost after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and a decline in Shu's family circumstances. As a result, Shu did not receive any of his family's heirlooms after he became an adult. But he dreamed of possessing a similar collection of cultural relics.

"As an average wage earner, I cannot afford to buy real antiques provided by licensed cultural relics stores and auction houses," Shu said.

"So how to solve the problem caused by the difference between reality and my dream? The best way, in my opinion, is visiting the flea market and purchasing replicas."

Shu said most of the replica antiques sellers at Beijing's markets abide by the country's replicas sale law, pointing out the true age of their products to buyers. Prices are generally reasonable as a result.

Shu is satisfied with a replica Shang Danasty (1600 BC-1100 BC) cooking vessel with two loop handles and three legs that he bought several months ago. Because of its long history, a real cooking vessel produced in the Shang Dynasty is considered by archaeologists and historians to be priceless and should be under strict protection. It is impossible for people to trade such a cultural relic legally.

"But a replica of the ancient cooking vessel is still greatly attractive to me because of its strong historical flavour. It cost only 300 yuan (US$36) so I made the deal with the replica antiques seller without the slightest hesitation," Shu explained.

Shu estimates that he owns hundreds of replica antiques - all of which decorate his home.

"Whether they are authentic or not is not important for me. The important thing is they look like real cultural relics and can satisfy my craving for age-old Chinese civilization," Shu added.

Nelson Lean, a Canadian businessman, is also a frequent visitor to Panjiayuan Flea Market and loves replicas.

"Like Shu, I do not care whether the items I buy from the market are real or not. I can use the replicas as substitutes for real antiques to decorate my office," Lean said.

Lean prefers replicas to real cultural relics because the Chinese government prohibits the sale of all antiques produced before 1795 and does not allow people to take valuable antiques outside the country.

"Owning real cultural relics would be a heavy burden on me because I have to protect them well. Relatively cheap replicas are nothing but objects commemorating my days spent in Beijing," Lean said.

As a result, he can choose to take them back to Canada or give them to local friends when he leaves Beijing.

"That is the major reason why I love the replicas so much," Lean stressed.

Thousands of producers and sellers of replica antiques have emerged in the capital because of the demand among the local and foreign communities.

Wu Xingguo, a farmer from Hebei Province, now sells replica antiques. "Although some illegal merchants sell replicas to customers at high prices while claiming they are real antiques, most business activities are legal. I am confident in the development of this special market. Where there is demand, there is money to be made," Wu said.

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