Burgeoning links between Norfolk and China could see ancient Asian archaeological treasures heading to Norwich's Castle Museum.

Norfolk County Council has helped to lead two trade missions to the Jiangsu province in China to attract inward investment – one in 2012 and another in 2013.

Last year, Chinese tour operators were welcomed to the county to showcase tourist attractions within Norfolk.

And a long-term aspiration of the partnership is that a swap deal could see some artefacts from China being loaned to Norfolk and vice versa.

In 2008, Colchester Castle Museum was loaned a collection of terracotta figures from a museum in the province.

Steven Reilly, spokesman for Norfolk County Council, said: 'Many ancient Chinese artefacts would be a huge visitor draw for any UK museum, either as star objects in their own right, or as part of a wider exhibition. 'Equally, Norfolk Museums Service has items of international significance, and we regularly lend to partners across Europe and beyond.

'Whilst the county council is actively exploring economic opportunities with the Jiangsu region of China, we are not in discussions with Chinese counterparts about loans of collections at this current time.

'It is, however, an aspiration, as part of our partnership work with China, that such an exchange could one day take place.'

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