China's government is to invest million of Yuan into preserving some of Tibet's most important historical sites and relics, it has been reported.

Ministers have pledged to spend 570 million Yuan (£40 million) on protecting 22 cultural relics in the south-western Tibet Autonomous Region, says the Xinhuanet news agency.

Among the buildings which will be included in the project will be 15 monasteries which will be preserved by the project until at least 2010.

Over the last 20 years, China has invested more than 700 million Yuan into Tibet's historical sites, according to Yudawa, the Tibet Regional Cultural Heritage Bureau director.

"These projects have protected Tibet's historical and cultural relics effectively," he told the news agency.

Jokhang, Ramogia, Sanyai and Samgya-Goutog monasteries will all be preserved under the programme as well as the 300,000 square meter Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze which was built in 1447.

Meanwhile, China is expected to welcome huge numbers of overseas travellers in the wake of the 2008 Olympic Games which are due to start in August.

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