The tomb recognized as that of Di Renjie Photo: VCG

Authorities in Luoyang's Chanhe district have confirmed that a long-disputed tomb located within the Baima Temple, or White Horse Temple, in Central China's Henan Province belonged to Di Renjie, or Judge Dee, a famed Tang Dynasty (618-907) statesman, multiple media reported Wednesday.

A newly erected notice board near the tomb formally designates the site as the "Tomb of renowned chancellor of the Tang Dynasty Di Lianggong" - Di Renjie's honorary title - resolving years of public debate over its ownership. 

According to the notice board, it was erected by the Baimasi township in accordance with an announcement issued by the Chanhe cultural authority. 

The tomb, previously at the center of speculation over whether it belonged to Di Renjie or Xue Huaiyi, a controversial figure known as a favorite of China's only female emperor Wu Zetian, has now been officially named a Luoyang municipal-level protected cultural relic. 

The identification follows years of conflicting claims about Di Renjie's final resting place, with proposed alternative locations in Northwest China's Shaanxi's Qianling and Taihu in East China's Anhui Province. 

Within the Baima Temple area itself, the tomb's ownership had sparked debate due to varying historical interpretations and local folklore.

A staff member from the Baimasi government told the local media that the sign was installed in accordance with instructions, though they refrained from making definitive statements about the resolution of the historical controversy. 

However, they noted that the prevailing local view has long held the site to be Judge Dee's. Further confirmation came from the Chanhe culture authority whose cultural relics department stated that experts had already verified the tomb's identity in recent years.

In response to the inquiry from the Global Times, Luoyang Cultural Relics Bureau noted that experts are still looking for further reliable evidence to reach a conclusion. 

It also backed this position, local media reported, citing inscriptions found both at the site and historical records as the basis for the identification.

But an official emphasized the importance of allowing differing views to coexist, noting, "We cannot prevent people from expressing alternative perspectives as long as they are reasonable."

Liu Zheng, a member of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, told the Global Times that although there's long been debate over the location of Di's tomb, Henan currently seems the most likely place.

"The designation also helps protect both the tomb and the nearby world-renowned Baima Temple scenic area," Liu said.