Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Poulev on Monday, with both sides agreeing to expand practical cooperation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated Poulev on the success of his recent visit to China, saying that as China-Bulgaria relations are entering a period of significant opportunity for further growth, the two sides should meet each other halfway and boost their respective development and revitalization through more practical cooperation.

Wang also said China is willing to expand practical cooperation with Bulgaria in areas such as finance and investment. He expressed hope that Bulgaria would optimize its visa policies to facilitate people-to-people exchanges. With joint efforts from both sides, China-Bulgaria relations will open a new chapter with greater vitality, he added.

Moreover, Wang noted that Bulgaria, given its strategic geographical location, can serve as an important link between Asia and Europe, and as a European Union (EU) member, it can play a positive role in China-EU strategic cooperation. China stands ready to work with Bulgaria to promote greater alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Middle Corridor, Wang noted.

For his part, Poulev congratulated China on its successful advancement of modernization drive and its remarkable achievements in areas such as economic development, scientific and technological innovation, and infrastructure. He said his recent visit to China has been highly successful, and that his high-level reception has reflected the great importance China has attached to Bulgaria.

He noted that Bulgaria's new government has adopted a proactive approach and a long-term vision for developing relations with China, and is willing to serve as a gateway for Chinese enterprises seeking entry into Europe. Bulgaria stands ready to make unremitting efforts to promote Bulgaria-China and EU-China cooperation and translate their friendly relations into more tangible outcomes of practical cooperation, Poulev said.