Restoration of Ta Keo temple begins in Angkor Archaeological ParkRestoration of Ta Keo temple begins in Angkor Archaeological Park

By Nguon Sovan

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Work on the restoration of the deteriorating Ta Keo temple in the complex of Angkor Archaeological Park began on Saturday afternoon under the financial aid of China.

"The restoration work will be taken eight years to complete ( 2011-2018) under the financial support of 40 million Yuan (about 6 million U.S. dollars) from the government of China," Bun Narith, director general of Apsara Authority, which is in charge of management, protection and conservation of Angkor Archaeological park, said during the opening ceremony of the restoration work on Saturday.

This is the second phase of Chinese government assistance for safeguarding, conserving and restoring Angkor activities after the first phase on the conservation and restoration of Chausay Tevada temple from 2000 and ended in December, 2008, costing 14 million Yuan (about 2 million U.S. dollars).

"China is one of more than ten countries that has trained Cambodian archaeological experts, and helped financially and technically to conserve and restore ancient temples at Angkor archaeological park," he said.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Cai Wu, minister of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, Minister of the Council of Ministers, as well as officials from UNESCO and Apsara Authority. Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue, other government and UNESCO officials, as well as more than two thousands people from all walks of life attended the ceremony.

Cai Wu said that he was very pleased to have a chance to see Angkor Wat, which is the world heritage, and to assist Cambodia in ancient temple conservation activities.

"The assistance to restore the temples will reflect the symbol of eternal friendship on culture cooperation between the two countries," he said. "Cambodia and China has a long history of friendship and bright civilizations, and China is committed to help Cambodia to preserve its cultural heritage and expand cooperation with Cambodia on all sectors."

Sok An expressed grateful thanks to China for the technical and

financial support for the conservation and restoration of Chausay Tevada temple in the past and now continues to restore Ta Keo temple.

"The start of the restoration work of Ta Keo temple is not the first project that China has helped Cambodia," he said. "China has helped Cambodia a lot to the development of the economy such as bridges, roads, irrigation systems, schools, hospitals, and the project to restore Chausay Tevada temple that finished in 2008."

"On behalf of the government of Cambodia and Cambodian people, I would like to thank the government of China and her people for valuable donations to conserve ancient temples as well as help to develop Cambodia all the time," he added.

"We hope that after the eight year restoration, Ta Keo temple will be as good as it was in original shape in the past," he added.

The restoration work begins after three year possibility studies by Chinese and Cambodian archaeological experts.

Ta Keo temple was built by King Jayavarman V and Suryavarman I from the late 10th century to the early 11th century and the kings dedicated this temple to Hinduism, according to the document from the Ministry of Tourism.

The monument of Ta Keo temple comprises of three level pyramids consisted of five rectangular terraces and five upper towers. This half finished massive pyramids rises to more than fifty meters high and this incomplete temple was built using so-called Khleang architecture.

The temple is located in the central zone of the Angkor archaeological site.