PHNOM PENH, Nov. 19 -- A Chinese Cultural Mansion was officially launched in the Cambodian capital on Wednesday with an aim of further enhancing cultural ties between the two countries.

Chinese Vice Minister of Culture Dong Wei presided over the inauguration ceremony and visited the 5,000-square-meter mansion in Tuol Kork district.

At the Chinese Cultural Mansion in Cambodia, Chinese teachers provide classes on Chinese paintings and calligraphy, music, martial arts and dances to Cambodian students.

"The Chinese Cultural Mansion in Cambodia is the first mansion China has opened overseas," Dong said in a statement. "It is aimed at promoting Chinese culture in Cambodia."

He said the mansion was vital to promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and to further contributing to Chinese-Cambodian ties.

Orn Kimheang, a 21-year-old student, said the mansion would give a better chance for Cambodians to explore Chinese culture and fine arts.

"It is a venue for Cambodian people to better understand the Chinese culture and will contribute to further strengthening relationship between Cambodia and China," she told Xinhua.

Another student Mara David, 20, said the mansion was a good place for Cambodian youth to learn Chinese tradition and custom.

"It is like a bridge to connect Chinese and Cambodian culture and to bring closer relations between the peoples of the two countries," he said.