The Christie's auction of the two looted Chinese relics last week in Paris serves as a reminder of history to the whole world, including the French people, the spokesman for the country's top advisory body said yesterday.

The auction has caused strong resentment in China and people have started to question the virtues of French culture, said Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the second session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"We have always admired French culture. What happened this time? Has French culture got sick?" Zhao quoted online comments as saying.