Restoration set to start on Confucius complex

Work has begun on a 320 million yuan ($50 million), five-year project to repair colorful paintings on the ancient buildings that comprise the Confucius temple, mansion and cemetery in East China's Shandong province, a cultural heritage official said on Friday.

Xie Zhixiu, head of the Shandong Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage, said the project was the first of its kind for more than 100 years, since similar work was carried out late in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

"After suffering from weathering for more than 100 years, these paintings are experiencing problems that include serious fading, cracking and detachment, making the repair work urgent," Xie said.