However, he failed to give the exact amount of investment for the three projects, namely the Potala Palace, Sagya Monastery and Norbuglinkha, also known as the Jewel Park.

An inspection team composed of experts from all sectors has been formed to make technical appraisals. A detailed renovation plan has been submitted for examination, he said.

The Potala Palace, located in the northwestern corner of Lhasa, Tibet, was first built by Tibetan King Songtsa Gambo in the 7th century in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and expanded during the 17th century. It features the essence of ancient Tibetan architectural art and houses many artifacts of ancient Tibet.

This will be the second repair on the Potala Palace as 57 spots at the palace are considered dangerous. The first large scale renovation on the Potala Palace was carried out in 1989 at a cost of 50 million yuan and took six years to complete. The repair involved a great number of technicians and huge amounts of gold and silver.

First built in 1073, the Sagya Lamasery has long enjoyed almost the same fame with the Dunhuang Grottoes for its large collection of Buddhist scriptures, valuable porcelains and vivid murals dating back to nearly 1,000 years ago. It is believed to be the birthplace of Sagyapa (Stripped Sect) of the Tibetan Buddhism.

At present, cracks can be seen in many parts due to the weather and erosion by insects.

Norbuglinkha, built in 1751, used to be the summer resort of all the Dalai Lamas. It houses 30,000 valuable cultural relics, 7, 000 of which are under top government protection. It is now truly a park for all people to enjoy.

Over the past two decades, the central government has renovated 1,700 temples and lamaseries in Tibet.

(People's Daily 04/27/2001)