LHASA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The project to expand and repair the square in front of the Potala Palace, a key ancient Tibetan architecture in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, began Sunday.

    Losang Jamcan, vice chairman of the regional people's government, urged construction workers to work hard to ensure completion of the project ahead of schedule and with high quality at the project's opening ceremony held Sunday.

    The expansion project, which is to cost 140 million yuan (16.8 million dollars), comprises surface brick-paving, building of flower beds and a music fountain and installation of telecom and power facilities. Work on the expansion is to be completed in July this year.

    The project is part of the renovation on the Potala Palace, which was put on UNESCO's list of cultural heritage sites in 1994. The square has long been a venue for holding major meetings and celebrations in Tibet.

    The Potala Palace, located in the northwestern corner of Lhasa, overlooking the Lhasa River valley, was first built by Tibetan King Songtsa Gambo in the 7th century in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and expanded during the 17th century. It features the essence of splendid ancient Tibetan architectural art. Enditem