Qiangbagesang, 65, is the director of the Administrative Department of the Potala Palace, also known as the guardian of the Palace. In fact, Qiangba has been the guardian for 20 years.

"I have been to Spain, Denmark, Germany, Britain, Japan and the US, where people had a very high opinion of my work," said Qiangba proudly.

Currently, the Potala Palace is under its third renovation (the first two being held in 1989 and 2002 respectively). The renovation will enhance water and moth prevention of the palace. The staff members of the Administrative Department are busy registering the cultural relics in the palace.

Many workers are working in the palace these days, and their songs can be heard from nearby the palace in the day.

"In fact, the money for renovating the palace is not enough, but the problem will be solved very soon," said Qangba.

What worry Qiangba most are fire and theft, both of which might bring disaster to the palace.

In 1984, the Buddha Hall of the palace caught fire. Though no severe damage had been caused, it still took more than 20 years to recover the tomes of Tibetan Buddhism classics.
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(Chinanews.cn July 19, 2007)