PAPHOS, Cyprus -- Chinese Garden, a joint project of Cypriot city of Paphos and the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, opened here on Wednesday with the presence of the city's mayor and Chinese ambassador.

Covering 3,629 square meters, the Chinese Garden was designed and constructed to offer a place of recreation for local residents.

Chinese Ambassador in Cyprus Huang Xingyuan delivered an address to the opening of the garden, expressing his thanks to the Mayor Paphos Fedonas Fedonos for his strong support to the China-Cyprus culture exchanges and his active efforts in the construction of the Chinese Garden.

Mayor Fedonas Fedonos said the Chinese Garden is the result of the close and constructive partnership the Paphos government has maintained over the past few years with the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus.

"This joint initiative will create conditions for mutual contact between the Chinese and Cypriot people," said Fedonos.

The mayor also expressed congratulation on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and extended his wishes to the Chinese people for further prosperity and progress.

Dancers, singers and musicians who flew specially from China gave a performance at the opening.