Chinese bidder in relics row

Mar 2 - A Chinese man says he placed the winning bids for two imperial bronzes at the centre of a row between Beijing and Christie's auction house, but says he won't pay.

The man on Monday (March 2, 2009) said he was the mystery bidder who secured the two Chinese imperial bronzes auctioned at Christie's over strenuous objections from Beijing that they should be returned rather than sold.

The bronzes were auctioned in Paris as part of a collection owned by the late French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent.

Kitty Bu reports.