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A musician performs during a performance hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 23, 2019. The Chinese Embassy in Lebanon celebrated Wednesday its Lunar New Year and the beginning of spring season with performance by China's Chongqing Symphony Orchestra. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Lebanon celebrated Wednesday its Lunar New Year and the beginning of its spring season with performance by China's Chongqing Symphony Orchestra.

The event saw the participation of Lebanese officials, and ambassadors representing different countries.

The Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian expressed his happiness to celebrate the special occasion in the presence of Chinese expatriates in Lebanon and Lebanese friends.

Wang highlighted that ties between China and Lebanon have strengthened remarkably in recent years.

"The number of Lebanese friends who are learning the Chinese language have increased as well," he said.

The ambassador added that China is looking forward to more cultural exchange with Lebanon in 2019.

Meanwhile, Ali Samad, director-general of Lebanon's Culture Ministry, told Xinhua that Lebanon and China enjoy strong cultural and diplomatic ties.

He said that one of the most important contribution from China to Lebanon on the cultural level is the donation for building a new conservatory.

The conservatory, funded by China, will be worth of 31.9 million U.S. dollars. It will cover 25,000 square meters in the northern Beirut suburb of Dbayeh.

"We are keen on building the strongest relations with China in the coming years," Samad said.