The Nanjing Museum, located in Jiangsu Province, China, has come under scrutiny as it has been revealed that historical artifacts were illicitly leaked and sold. Investigations conducted by a team from the province disclosed on the 9th that the former director of the museum had played a role in this misconduct. Among the problematic items are five pieces, including a work titled "Jiangnan Spring" by the Ming dynasty artist Qiu Ying, which had been deemed forgeries back in 1997, coinciding with the time when the former director served as deputy director. These items were transferred unlawfully to an organization led by the former director and were sold for around 5,000 yuan (approximately $750) shortly thereafter.

The issue came to light following a December 2025 report by the online media outlet Pengpai News, which raised suspicions over the re-auctioning of "Jiangnan Spring" for a staggering 88 million yuan (about 2 billion yen) in May that same year. Consequently, the provincial authorities began investigations into the matter. The Pengpai News article also criticized the standards and processes used in the initial determination of these items as forgeries, citing a lack of transparency in how records were disclosed.

Additionally, the former director is facing allegations of 'serious breach of duty,' prompting ongoing investigations by authorities. According to the Nanjing Museum's website, the museum traces its origins back to 1936 when it was established under the Republic of China as the "National Central Museum" during an era when Nanjing was the capital. Today, it houses over 430,000 items, including national treasures, and is referred to as one of China's "three major museums," along with the Palace Museums in Beijing and Taipei.