BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- An institution that will train talented people for the purpose of promoting Chinese opera abroad was established on Wednesday.

The department of international cultural exchanges was established under the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts (NACTA), a Beijing-based college dedicated to the training of professional Chinese opera performers.

Du Changsheng, NACTA president, said at the department's launching ceremony that the institution was created for the purpose of giving Chinese theater arts, as well as Chinese culture in general, a more extensive overseas presence.

The department will offer degrees for students majoring in international cultural exchange and will also provide education for international students.

The department will also work with other cultural promotion organizations, such as the China International Culture Exchange Center and the Confucius Institute.