site.btaBulgaria, China Establish Strategic Partnership Relations

July 3 (BTA special correspondent Asen Boyadjiev) -
Bulgaria and China are establishing relations of strategic
partnership, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his Chinese
counterpart Xi Jinping said Wednesday at the start of the
plenary talks in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping noted that the two countries are in good
relations. "We marked 70 years of establishing diplomatic
relations; now, once again they rise up to the level of a
strategic partnership," he said, adding that Bulgaria and China
should use this opportunity in the changing global situation and
 should develop their partnership.

"A historic act stands before us," President Radev noted in
connection with announcing a joint declaration between the
Republic of Bulgaria and the People's Republic of China for
establishing relations of strategic partnership. Radev voiced
his conviction that this will quickly turn into a beneficial
foundation for building up what has already been achieved in the
 bilateral relations.

Xi Jinping also said that in the past 70 years, the traditional
partnership between the two countries has developed, for which,
in his words, there is enough evidence. The Chinese Head of
State noted that his people remember Bulgaria's aid after the
big earthquake in 2008 when it was among the first countries to
offer accommodation to children from the affected regions, and
when Bulgarian climber Boyan Petrov went missing, Chinese
rescuers did everything to help. "This shows that the relations
between our people are very good," Xi Jinping said.

The Bulgarian-Chinese declaration for establishing strategic
partnership relations aims for a solid and stable development of
 bilateral relations. According to the text, the two countries
rate highly the positive results in bilateral economy and trade,
 with a unanimous view of strengthening practical cooperation in
 trade, investments, infrastructure, small and medium
enterprises and online trade, among others.

Bulgaria and China wish to achieve the goals set in the signed
interparliamentary Memorandum of understanding for a joint
implementation of the One Belt, One Road initiative. By
following the principles of extensive consultations, joint
contribution and mutual benefit, the two countries will
encourage practical cooperation in the various spheres with the
aim of bringing high quality to the realization of the
initiative.

The countries will continue to upgrade the level of cooperation
in the production and processing of agricultural produce,
research, technologies and investments in agriculture and trade
in agricultural products. The document provides for expanding
cooperation in the areas of culture and tourism and cooperation
at the local level in order to enhance contacts and friendship
between the two peoples. The two countries uphold the view that
cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and
China creates an important platform for developing relations
between Bulgaria and China, and is a useful complement to the
comprehensive strategic partnership between the EU and China.

Earlier in the day, the Bulgarian head of State Rumen Radev and
his wife Dessislava Radeva were welcomed formally at the Great
Hall of the People in Beijing.

In Beijing Radev also conferred with Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the
 Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Also on Wednesday, President Rumen Radev invited Chinese
business representatives to invest in Bulgaria. Radev, who is
paying a state visit to China on July 1-5, addressed a
Bulgarian-Chinese business forum at the Bulgarian Embassy in
Beijing.

The President said: "Conditions for our business cooperation and
 partnership will constantly be improving. I suggest that you
tap this wonderful opportunity and invest in Bulgaria."

Radev listed three important conditions for successful business
cooperation: top-level political support and good political
relations between the two countries; a good business environment
 and low taxes; and conditions for fast and effective
communication and contacts between businesses.

The head of State pointed out Bulgaria's investment advantages,
noting that his country is not only a member of the EU, whereby
many advantages ensue, but also has the EU's lowest flat tax
rate, the lowest operating costs, one of the highest GDP growth
rates in Europe, a stable financial system, low inflation and
declining debt.

Radev noted that Bulgaria provides skilled labour and the
government is constantly making efforts to improve the business
environment and reduce the administrative burden and red tape.

The forum was attended by dozens of Chinese business
representatives who exchanged contacts with Bulgarian companies
in various sectors. IG,RY/TH,PP

/TH/