Since the beginning of April, 2009, the last batches of projects for maintaining the three cultural relics (the Potala Palace, the Norbu Lingka and the Sagya Monastery) in the Tibet Autonomous Region have started construction.

As a large maintenance item supported by the central government with an investment of over 300 million yuan, the maintenance work has lasted for 7 years since 2002. Up to now, most of the maintenance work has been finished.

According to Nyima Tsering, principal of the leading group for the maintenance work, this year 16 projects with a total investment of 104.71 million yuan are to be allocated and now 6 out of all have kicked off while the remaining will start in succession.

The 6 ongoing projects are safety & fire control systems and drainage & electric power systems for the three places: the Potala Palace costs 26.1 million yuan; the Norbu Lingka costs 18.63 million yuan and the Sagya Monastery costs 19.39 million yuan.

The Potala Palace was built in the seventh century and was listed as a "World Cultural Heritage". Norbu Lingka was built in 1751 and it is the best-preserved garden architecture with the largest scale and the highest altitude in the world. Boasting a lot of scripture books and rare cultural relics, the Sagya Monastery is the key temple for Sagya Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

As planned formerly, all the maintenance work was expected to finish in June, 2007. However, uncertain factors of ancient architectures led the completion time prolonged.

The department in charge expresses that all the work is hopeful to finish by the end of this year.

The 16 remaining projects include thunder prevention projects, waterproof project in the center of Norbu Lingka Lake, environmental renovation in some sections, the Yangma Rampart project as well as dormitory maintenance for monks in the Sagya Monastery.

(1 USD equals about 6.83 yuan.)