This month's concert by the world's top three tenors in Beijing's Forbidden City will in no way affect the 600-year-old royal residence, a concert official said.

Construction of more than 2,000 tons of facades, giant dragon pillars and a myriad of facilities and devices necessary for the concert have aroused people's concern about the concert's possible harm to the venue, Xinhua news agency reported.

Stage supervisor Jing Linsen assured the public that effective protection measures have been employed to ensure that the event will not in any way affect the cultural relics of the Forbidden City.

The concert is scheduled for Sunday - International Olympic Day.

Some 20,000 music enthusiasts are expected to gather at Wumen plaza, the stage venue of the concert.

According to Jing, a large "cover-up and make-up" campaign is under way:

The marble floor built up in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) will be covered with several layers of special carpets and synthesized boards and rubber before the stage and audience seats are built.

Nothing is allowed to directly get in contact with the marble floor.

Moreover, all the construction will be kept 15 meters away from the ancient city wall, Jing said.

Experts from the Palace Museum and relevant government departments have been invited to participate in the entire preparation process, from stage design to the civil engineering construction.

Strict supervision will be exercised to guarantee no damage to the ancient palace "until the last piece of equipment and facilities is removed from the site," said stage supervisor Jing.

(Eastday.com.cn 06/18/2001)