China, Bulgaria pledge to deepen cooperation

China is willing to work with Bulgaria to promote their pragmatic cooperation in various fields and strengthen exchanges between the two countries' parliaments, a senior Chinese legislator said here Tuesday.

Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks when meeting with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and President of Bulgaria's National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva.

During her meeting with Plevneliev, Chen said China has a traditional friendship with Bulgaria, which was among the first to establish diplomatic ties with China in 1949.

Bilateral ties have developed smoothly with frequent high-level visits over the past years, she said, adding that both sides have enhanced and expanded their economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and have maintained good communication and coordination on international affairs.

Chen hoped both countries would make joint efforts to deepen their bilateral ties and promote cooperation between China and Central and East European countries to make new contributions to the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe.

Plevneliev spoke highly of the Sino-Bulgarian ties, saying Bulgaria firmly adheres to the one-China policy and gives priority to developing its ties with China.

As China's good friend and partner in Europe, Bulgaria is willing to expand pragmatic cooperation with China in various areas and play a constructive role in promoting the ties between China and Central and East European countries and those between China and the European Union (EU), said Plevneliev.

During her talks with Tsacheva, Chen said exchanges between the two countries' legislatures are an important part of bilateral ties, adding that China's NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Bulgarian parliament in all aspects to enhance the friendly cooperative ties between the two countries.

China is willing to work together with Bulgaria to promote pragmatic cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, science and technology, humanities and women, Chen said.

Tsacheva praised the friendly ties between the two countries and China's great achievements in economic and social development.

Noting the legislatures of the two nations have maintained good cooperation, Tsacheva said the Bulgarian parliament is willing to further exchanges at all levels and in all aspects to make positive contributions to the smooth development of bilateral ties.

Bulgaria attaches great importance to its ties with China and is willing to expand bilateral pragmatic cooperation in all areas, Tsacheva said.

Chen, who heads an NPC delegation, arrived here Monday for a goodwill visit to Bulgaria, the last leg of her three-nation tour which has taken her to South Korea and Ukraine.