TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Palace Museum (NPM) Director Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌) admitted on Wednesday (May 8) the improper handling of its famed Jadeite Cabbage on March 11.

According to an NPM press release, the incident involved the Tainan Art Museum (TAM) returning artifacts to the NPM. During the process, staff from both museums signed papers just 3 cm away from the Jadeite Cabbage. Furthermore, outsourced cleaning staff entered the storage room including two individuals not on the authorized list, per CNA.

The Education and Culture Committee of the Legislative Yuan requested Hsiao to report about the incident on Wednesday, per CNA.

Legislator Huang Chien-hao (黃健豪) on Tuesday (May 7) released photos of the exchange between the two museums. Hsiao said upon examination of the photos, it can be seen that three sides of the cabbage display case still had glass, CNA reported.

“As for the open side, it was to inspect the objects,” the director said. “However, signing documents that are close to an artifact is considered negligence of procedures. This behavior was carried out by TAM staff and, regrettably, the NPM did not intervene immediately.”

Legislator Wan Mei-ling (萬美玲) disapproved of Hsiao’s defense that there were “three sides of glass,” arguing that an employee could have still turned and knocked into the display. Legislator Kuo Yu-ching (郭昱晴) called for more care in handling cultural relics, per Liberty Times.

Hsiao responded by saying that according to standard operating procedures, signatures should have been signed elsewhere, stressing the need for professionalism. The director added that he would revise the guidelines.