KIEV, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The first Confucius Music Center in Europe opened at the Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine on Monday.

The opening ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Du Wei, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and a delegation of China's Central Conservatory of Music headed by Professor Ye Xiaogang.

"I am sure that today's event will have a great, long-term, positive impact on the development of the relations between our countries," said Maksym Strikha, deputy minister of education and science of Ukraine, during his speech at the opening ceremony.

"I am convinced that the opening of the Confucius Music Center will promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the field of music and art," said Ye, one of China's most famous contemporary composers.

"Confucius Music Center will be able to introduce both traditional Chinese music and contemporary music, which is developing rapidly," he added.

Maksym Tymoshenko, the rector of the Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, said he appreciates the fact that most of the academy's foreign students are from China and welcomes more Chinese students to study here.