Chinese scientists are working to set up the world's largest refracting telescope in Tibet Autonomous Region for observing stars and planets.

Deputy Director of the regional department of science and technology Lhasa Wang Junjie said construction for the optical telescope, with a 1-meter aperture, has already started in the regional capital of Lhasa.

He said with its high altitude and clear sky, Tibet is said to be one of the world's best spots to observe celestial bodies.

He said a refracting telescope is an instrument that uses a combination of lenses to produce images of distant objects in space that would not be visible with the human eye.

Scientists will use the refractor to carry out sky surveys, including monitoring near-Earth asteroids.