Donations adding up to 4.089 million yuan (about US$492,600) were made by enterprises, societies and individuals from home and abroad Wednesday for the protection of the Royal Temple in Beijing.
Situated in the Western (Xicheng) District of Beijing, the temple first built in 1530 is the best preserved venue where emperors of the imperial Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911) offered sacrifices to their ancestors, and has been put under state protection.
Ji Xiaoping, deputy head of the Culture Committee of the Western District, noted that the Beijing Municipal government has mapped out a long-term protection plan for the historic relics.
On Wednesday, a promotion association was established to boost the study of the temple's culture and receive donations from around the world.
Since 2000, nearly 300 million yuan (about US$36.14 million) has been spent on the first two phases of a construction program.
According to Ji, the third-phase project due to be completed this year will cover the reconstruction of three stone bridges, two decorated archways and a storehouse for sacrificial offerings.
(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2003)
