Experts with the Dunhuang Academy have repaired more than 1,000 square meters of frescos at three Tibetan lamaseries, namely the Potala Palace, the Sagya Lamasery and Norbuglinkha. 

Dunhuang Academy was chosen by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage to do the repair work at the three lamaseries, where 5,000 square meters of frescos had begun to fade, warp and peel.

Li Zuixiong, vice president of Dunhuang Academy in Dunhuang city, northwestern Gansu Province said the central government spent more than 300 million yuan in 2002 for the repairs.

Painted on walls in grottoes and monasteries across the country, Chinese frescos mainly feature Buddhist figures and tales. The most renowned site, Mogao Grottoes, boasts over 70,000 square meters of mural paintings.

Dunhuang Academy takes the lead in Chinese fresco protection and has restored 3,000 square meters of mural paintings in Dunhuang grottoes.

(CRI.com August 25, 2004)