site.btaVP Attends Celebration of 75th Anniversary of Establishment of Bulgaria-China Diplomatic Relations

The people of Bulgaria and China continue to confidently write the history of their longstanding friendship, Vice President Iliana Iotova said at a solemn reception organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Sofia on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the press secretariat of the presidential institution said on Saturday.

The recipe for sustainable Bulgarian-Chinese relations is mutual trust, respect, desire to get to know each other, dialogue and partnership. This recipe is even more valuable in today's increasingly divided and conflicted world, she added.

Iotova highlighted the active bilateral relations in a number of areas, pointing to the significant growth of trade in goods in recent years.

"China is a strategic partner of Bulgaria. This is clearly stated in the key declaration adopted by Presidents Rumen Radev and Xi Jinping in 2019," the Vice President underlined.

As an example of the active bilateral cooperation, she pointed to the recently organized and inaugurated by the Bulgarian head of State in Sofia a large trade forum of leading Chinese companies, leaders in technology, innovation, digitalization, banking, logistics, transport and energy. Iotova also recalled the Bulgarian ambition expressed by President Radev to President Xi Jinping to open a branch of a Chinese bank, as well as a direct Sofia-Beijing airline.

The Vice President also highlighted the opportunities for more joint projects within the Belt and Road Initiative and the 14+1 Format. "Bulgaria's strategic geographic position gives it the role of a bridge between Europe and Asia. Bulgaria can be an intermediary in deepening relations between Central and Eastern European countries and China," Iotova said.

The Vice President emphasized the active contacts in the field of culture through the activities of the Confucius Institute and the Chinese Cultural Centre.

"Let us continue to promote the development of cultural ties between the Bulgarian and Chinese peoples with the outstanding achievements of our centuries-old history, culture and traditions. We should more often reread the lessons of the past and draw on the wisdom of our long-standing civilizations," Iotova said. She also highlighted the important role for bilateral relations of the Bulgarian Editorial Office of the China Media Group, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China were established on  October 3, 1949. In 1950, the two countries opened their embassies in Beijing and Sofia respectively. In 2005, a Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria was opened in Shanghai, according to information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There is an active political dialogue and dynamic sectoral cooperation, including on the basis of bilateral agreements in relevant areas (economy, agriculture and food, education and science, culture, transport and communications, defence, fight against crime, etc.). Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries are held regularly. Visits by parliamentary delegations at various levels are also exchanged. Bulgaria adheres to the 'One China' policy, the Foreign Ministry's website further reads.