Chinese navy ship visits Bulgaria for first time

The frigate "Yantai" of the 11th Chinese naval escort flotilla on Sunday arrived at the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Varna to make a five-day goodwill visit.

It is the first visit of Chinese navy ship in Bulgaria ever.

The ship was greeted by thousands of people, many of them Chinese living in Bulgaria, while the Bulgarian Navy Orchestra played marches and the national anthems of the two countries.

Rear Admiral Xia Kewei, political commissar of the 11th Chinese naval escort taskforce, told the welcoming ceremony that he and the 259 men crew aboard "Yantai" came in Varna, bringing the deep friendly feelings the Chinese people and Chinese army to the Bulgarian people and Bulgarian army.

Rear Admiral Xia said that during the visit contacts and exchanges with rich content will be held with the Bulgarian counterpart.

He said he was convinced that the visit will encourage contacts between the navies of two countries and strengthen partnership relations between China and Bulgaria.

Jia Li, Chinese charge d'affaires in Bulgaria, told the ceremony that China has always paid great attention to the traditional friendship with Bulgaria.

Jia said this friendly visit would deepen mutual trust and cooperation between Bulgaria and China, and open a new page for the prospective development of the bilateral relations.