File photo of the library of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. [Photo: gzarts.edu.cn]

A former library curator from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts stood trial on July 21 in Guandong province for stealing paintings worth around 100 million yuan, the Nanfang Daily has reported.

Former curator Xiao Yuan has been accused of stealing over 100 art works from the library's collection including pieces from master artists Qi Baishi and Zhang Daiqian.

According to the accusation, Xiao used the library keys he was in charge of to gain access to the collection room. He took away the paintings in the library to make replicas and later returned the counterfeit paintings to the library.

Xiao has sold about 100 pieces of the authentic paintings totaling around 30 million yuan.

The unsold stolen art pieces are estimated to be valued at around 70 million yuan.

Xiao admitted his crime and expressed his regrets in court.