Magna Carta on its way to China, via New York

A rare original edition of the famous Magna Carta kicks off a six-nation four-month tour in the U.S. Wednesday on a global tour that will also see the historic document travelling to China.

Details of the tour were announced Tuesday by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

The 1217 version of the Magna Carta has left its home in England's Hereford Cathedral, with the first part of the tour hosted by the New York Historical Society where it will be displayed for a week from September 23.

The FCO said in a statement Tuesday: "As part of the tour the document is being flown to New York, followed by Luxembourg, China, Singapore, Malta and Portugal, where it will be displayed at a number of public venues."

"The Magna Carta is an internationally recognised symbol of justice and the rule of law. The Hereford Cathedral Magna Carta is one of only 24 believed to be in existence," added the FCO spokesman.

Hereford Cathedral has a special connection to the history of Magna Carta. In 1215, the Bishop of Hereford, Giles de Briouze, was the only bishop to join the other Magna Carta barons in a rebellion against England's King John. Like other great English cathedrals, Hereford subsequently became home to a copy of Magna Carta and an original 1215 Kings Writ.

Hereford is also home to the Mappa Mundi, a 13th century map of the world, and a unique medieval chained library, the inspiration for the Hogwart's Library in the famous films telling the adventures of the boy wizard Harry Potter.

In the U.S., the Magna Carta will be shown alongside key documents relating to the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

The British government has insured the rare Magna Carta document for almost 38 million U.S. dollars to cover any losses or damage between now and the end of the year when the global tour ends. Endit