Authorities in the famous scenic city of Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province on Tuesday approved a plan to enlarge the scenic areas at the West Lake by making several ponds on its west bank.

Having calculated the impact of the project on cultural relics and ecological protection, experts at a project appraisal meeting Tuesday agreed that the expansion is feasible, saying it will make the lake more attractive.

The addition will enlarge the lake's current area by one-fourth.

The West Lake, covering some six square kilometers, is on the country's key scenic area list. It annually hosts large numbers of sightseers.

(People’s Daily 03/07/2001)