2019年CRI 中国和保加利亚双边关系更进一步（在线收听）

At Wednesday's meeting, Xi Jinping and Rumen Radev jointly announced the decision to lift China-Bulgaria ties to a strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping said he hopes there will be more room for greater cooperation between the two sides.

"Mr. President sees China a priority in Bulgaria's diplomacy and has actively pushed forward bilateral cooperation. I highly appreciate that. Bulgaria was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China. Traditional friendship between the two countries has been carried forward over the past 70 years. Upon the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, we lift state-to-state ties to a strategic partnership. I hope that the two countries take it as a new starting point, work together to cope with the test of international changes and inject new impetus into bilateral cooperation."

Xi Jinping called on both sides to strengthen exchanges and join hands to safeguard the international system based on multilateralism and the international law.

Bulgaria is also one of the first Central and Eastern European countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi Jinping called for efforts to further align the two countries' development strategies, promote infrastructure connectivity, expand trade and cement people-to-people exchanges.

As the new EU leadership is looming on the horizon, Xi Jinping reiterated China's support for the European integration process, EU's unity and its bigger role in global affairs.

He also called on the new EU institutions to work with China for a closer partnership, hoping Bulgaria continues to play a constructive role in this regard.

For his part, Radev suggested Bulgaria could become a gateway and hub connecting Europe and Asia, and said he expects the two sides to expand cooperation across the board.

He also reaffirmed his country's commitments to multilateralism and cooperation between Europe and China.

Wednesday's meeting was part of Radev's five-day visit to China that started on Monday.

He earlier attended this year's Summer Davos in Dalian.

During his time in Beijing, the visiting president also laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tian'anmen Square.

For CRI, I am Zhou Fang.

周三，习近平主席同保加利亚总统鲁门·拉德夫举行会谈，两国元首一致决定，将中保关系提升为战略伙伴关系。

习近平表示希望能有更大的空间来加强双边合作。

“总统先生将中国视为保加利亚优先伙伴，并积极推动双边合作。对此我深表感激。保加利亚是最早同新中国建交的国家之一。两国建交70年来，传统友谊得到继承和发扬。在两国建交70周年之际，希望双方以两国关系提升为战略伙伴关系为新起点，携手应对国际风云变幻的考验，为中保合作注入新动力。”

习近平呼吁双方加强交流，共同维护以多边主义和国际法为基础的国际体系。

保加利亚也是首批加入“一带一路”倡议的中东欧国家之一。

习近平呼吁双方加强发展战略对接，促进基础设施互联互通，扩大贸易，密切人文交流。

由于欧盟新领导层即将上任，习近平同时重申，中方坚定支持欧洲一体化进程，坚定支持欧盟团结，坚定支持欧洲在国际事务中发挥更重要作用。

他还呼吁新一届欧盟机构与中国建立更紧密的伙伴关系，希望保方继续发挥建设性作用。

拉德夫表示，保方愿成为连接欧洲和亚洲的门户和枢纽，并表示希望双方全面扩大合作。

他还重申，保加利亚支持多边主义，支持欧洲和中国合作。

拉德夫从周一开始对中国进行为期五天的访问，周三举行的会谈是他此行的一部分。

他早些时候参加了今年在大连举行的夏季达沃斯论坛。

在北京期间，这位来访的总统前往天安门广场，向人民英雄纪念碑敬献花圈。