Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (front R) and Bulgarian Vice President Angel Marin (front L) inspect honour guards during a welcoming ceremony in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, Oct. 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

    SOFIA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping held talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Angel Marin on Wednesday, and both leaders pledged to further cement the traditional friendly relations between the two countries.

    This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese-Bulgarian diplomatic relations, and his current visit was mainly aimed at celebrating the anniversary together with the Bulgarian side and further advancing the pragmatic friendly cooperation between the two nations, said Xi.

Bulgarian Vice President Angel Marin (L) welcomes visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, Oct. 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

    While reviewing the Chinese-Bulgarian relationship over the past six decades, Xi called it a good example for the friendly co-existence between countries with different social systems.

    Xi said that the two sides should maintain mutual respect, seek win-win cooperation and work together to safeguard common interest, to ensure the long-term healthy development of bilateral relations and to bring benefit to the two peoples.

Bulgarian Vice President Angel Marin (3rd L) meets with visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (3rd R) in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, Oct. 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

    Xi put forward a five-point proposal on further advancing the relationship between the two countries:

    -- To further strengthen their traditional friendly relations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. Xi expressed hope that governments, parliaments, and parties of both sides at all levels would enhance exchanges and cooperation and boost mutual understanding and trust;

    -- To expand trade cooperation to achieve mutual benefit and create a win-win situation;

    -- To deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, specially among the youth;

    -- To continue strengthening coordination and collaboration within multilateral frameworks to jointly promote world peace and development;

    -- To work for a sustainable, stable and healthy relationship between China and Europe.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping presents a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, Oct. 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

    Marin said Xi's visit demonstrated the importance the Chinese government has attached to the relations between the two countries.

    Bulgaria attaches importance to its relations with China, and has taken China as a strategic and cooperative partner. Bulgaria is ready to work with China to cement mutual political trust and intensify cooperation on trade, investment, tourism, culture and education, he said.

Bulgarian Vice President Angel Marin (R) introduces the general situation of Bulgaria to visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping before their meeting in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, Oct. 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

    Marin reaffirmed that Bulgaria firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China on issues concerning Tibet and Xinjiang.

    After the talks, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony for several cooperation agreements.

    Xi arrived here on Wednesday afternoon for the third leg of his five-nation Europe tour. He has visited Belgium and Germany, and will also visit Hungary and Romania.



Chinese vice president arrives in Bulgaria for visit

   SOFIA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Sofia on Wednesday on the latest leg of his Europe tour.

    In a written statement issued upon arrival at the airport, Xi said this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bulgaria, which had maintained healthy development.