BEIRUT, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Construction on a China-aided conservatory, with an investment of 62 million U.S. dollars, was started on Friday in Lebanon.

"It is an important landmark in the cultural exchanges between China and Lebanon under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian told Xinhua on the sidelines of the launching ceremony.

The new conservatory, located in the town of Dbayeh, near Beirut, will be completed within three years.

The ambassador said China is always ready to share expertise and development achievements with other countries through Belt and Road construction.

The conservatory, covering an area of 39,000 square meters, will feature teaching rooms, a library, lecture and auditorium halls, as well as a theater which can host up to 1,200 people.

The President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction Nabil El-Jisr said the project will be implemented by China State Construction Engineering Corporation.

"This new conservatory conveys a message of support from a great country keen on building bridges with all the other countries in the world," Jisr said.

Bassam Saba, head of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music, said this new project will give an opportunity to students who want to pursue higher levels of music studies.

Lebanese Minister of Culture Mohammad Daoud thanked China for its aid while adding that he was looking forward to further cooperation between the two countries. Enditem

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