Wang Yi and Bulgarian foreign minister discuss cooperation in Sofia
In short
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Petrova (佩特罗娃) in Sofia on October 19. Wang said the sides reached broad consensus on future high-level contacts and practical cooperation, while Petrova called for stronger ties and direct flights.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Petrova (佩特罗娃) in Sofia on October 19. Wang said the two sides had discussed planning the next stage of high-level exchanges and advancing practical cooperation across various fields, reaching broad consensus. He said China respected Bulgaria's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and was willing to be a long-term, trustworthy strategic partner as Bulgaria pursued its development goals under its new government. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Wang expressed hope that Bulgaria would continue to uphold the one-China principle and support China's position on safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. He proposed cooperation on Eurasian connectivity, development and multilateralism, coordinating the Belt and Road Initiative with the Middle Corridor, China-Central and Eastern Europe cooperation and China-EU cooperation. Wang said China and Europe should respect each other and work together for peace and development. He called for free trade and dialogue to resolve differences, and opposition to unilateralism and protectionism. [ 2 , 3 ]
Petrova said Bulgaria would continue to firmly pursue a one-China policy and that developing relations with China was a clear direction for its new government. She called for stronger cooperation in trade, culture and education, and expansion into high-technology and high-value-added fields. She also looked forward to direct flights opening soon. Describing Bulgaria as a crossroads connecting Europe and Asia, she said the country wanted more shared interests in connectivity. Petrova supported active China-EU dialogue and welcomed progress in trade and investment consultations. Jiemian, citing CCTV, also reported that the ministers exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The talks addressed trade, education, technology and transport connections between the countries. Both ministers also called for dialogue and cooperation between China and the European Union.
Key facts
- Wang and Petrova held talks in Sofia on October 19. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Wang said the sides reached broad consensus on high-level exchanges and practical cooperation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Petrova said Bulgaria would continue its one-China policy. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Petrova expressed hope for the early opening of direct flights between the countries. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When direct flights might begin. Petrova expressed hope for an early opening, but the reports give no date.