Plans are underway to set up a lead group office that will coordinate the protection of Tibet's top-priority cultural relics and sites, which until now has been conducted on a more ad-hoc basis.

According to statistics, there are more than 2,000 immovable cultural relics, including 35 under state protection, 48 under protection at the Autonomous Region level, and 168 under county- and city-level protection. In addition, Tibet's museums house more than 100,000 other treasures.

Shan Jixiang, a member of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, said the government has to date invested more than 700 million yuan (about US$90 million) in the protection of Tibetan cultural relics over the past four decades.

In 2006 alone, a total of 300 million yuan (about US$39 million) was pumped into restoration works at Potala Palace and the monasteries of Norbu Lingka and Sagya.

According to Shan, other relics and sites that are considered high priorities for protection include Samye, Kegya, Sekhargutok, Drepung and Tashilhunpo monasteries; Jokhang Temple, Ramoche, Changzhub and Xalhu monasteries -- which are considered important "witnesses" to the communication between Tibetans and the Han Chinese centuries ago; the Gyangze Zongshan Anti-British Battle site and Nenying Monastery -- they are a testament to Tibet's fight against foreign invaders; and the Tombs of the Tibetan Kings, Guge Kingdom ruins and Lagarie Residence Palace.

However, relic protection has become more of a challenge these days, particularly with the increased influx of tourists, due largely to the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway last year.

Shan highlighted that the priority now is to set up a proper system of organization and protection, as well as special funds. "We plan to found a lead group office for the project. The office will take charge of execution details and the budget."

(China.org.cn by Chen Lin, March 7, 2007)