site.btaChinese Ambassador Receives High Bulgarian State Honour

President Rumen Radev on Monday conferred the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class on China's Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun for his contribution to the deepening of relations between the two countries.

Radev said China is an important partner to Bulgaria and is highly respected for its remarkable history, culture and tradition and its impressive economic, scientific and technological development.

"Throughout his whole stint in Bulgaria, Ambassador Dong has worked tirelessly and consistently to expand our two nations' relations of friendship and cooperation while also maintaining their continuity," Radev said, adding that the diplomat has strived to place bilateral ties on a broader and sounder foundation.

The President noted: "Especially during the hardships and the severe restrictions during the global COVID-19 pandemic, he made sure that we not only maintained but also upgraded our political contacts, our trade and economic cooperation and our cultural, educational and scientific exchange." Radev thanked China for the supply of medicines, personal protective items and medical equipment to Bulgaria.

Ambassador Dong said: "The trust between our two countries and the friendship between our peoples have deepened further." He added that bilateral cooperation has produced concrete results. The diplomat recalled President Radev's successful visit to China in 2019 and the upgrading of bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.

"I believe in the future development of relations between China and Bulgaria," Dong said.