China wants to be a reliable and responsible partner in Bulgaria's modernization, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday at the start of delegation-level talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev in Sofia, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported.
Wang, who is on an official visit to Bulgaria, held a one-on-one meeting with Radev before the talks.
The Chinese Foreign Minister highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the two countries and expressed Beijing's readiness to deepen mutual political trust and pursue more tangible joint projects.
"We are ready to work with our Bulgarian friends to deepen mutual political trust and achieve more tangible, concrete cooperation projects between the two countries for the benefit of their peoples," Wang said.
He welcomed the formation of Bulgaria's new government and conveyed greetings and best wishes from China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Addressing Radev, Wang praised his strategic vision and pragmatic approach, expressing confidence that Bulgaria would make significant progress under his leadership and that bilateral relations would continue to develop.
Wang recalled Radev's visit to China as Bulgarian President in 2019, when he and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries.
The agreement opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, Wang said, adding that Beijing expected cooperation to reach a higher level following the formation of Bulgaria's new government.
He also reaffirmed China's willingness to develop friendly relations with countries around the world and promote what Beijing describes as a community with a shared future for humanity.
Wang is scheduled to meet Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova later on Monday.
His visit to Bulgaria is part of a tour of Azerbaijan and the Balkans, during which he has already visited Croatia and Montenegro.
