President Hu meets Bulgarian counterpart

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-19 14:17

BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao met here on Tuesday with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Parvanov to exchange views on the ongoing Beijing Olympics and bilateral relations.

Hu said worldwide athletes, including the Bulgarians, have demonstrated superb athletic skills in the Beijing Olympic competitions. "With the concerted efforts from the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Family, we believe the Beijing Games will be a distinctive and high-level sports rally."

Parvanov said he wished the Beijing Games a success.

China and Bulgaria have been actively promoting bilateral relations for many years, said Hu. "Next year, we will celebrate 60 years of our diplomatic relations. This will be a milestone in the development of bilateral ties."

China is ready to take this opportunity to work with the Bulgarian side to deepen concrete cooperation in diverse fields, said Hu.

Parvanov said he hopes the two countries will maintain high-level contacts, cement trade and economic cooperation, promote cultural exchanges and enhance coordination and mutual support in international and regional affairs.

Bulgaria, as one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China founded in 1949, remains unchanged in its policy of friendship toward China, said Parvanov, adding that the Bulgarian people are full of friendship and affection toward the Chinese.

The Bulgarian president arrived in Beijing on Saturday to attend Olympics related activities.