SOFIA, March 14 -- Bulgarian and Chinese officials here on Friday validated a postage stamp dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Georgi Todorov, Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications said at the ceremony that the edition represents a block consisting of a postage stamp, a pictorial envelope and a special postage stamp.

It shows the Madara Rider, a symbol of the first Bulgarian state, and a blue wooden horse, which is the symbol of 2014, the Chinese Year of Horse, Todorov said.

According to Angel Velichkov, Deputy Foreign Minister, China is his country's vital partner in the Asia-Pacific region, and this is a worthy event to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The traditional friendly relations are characterized by stable positive dynamics, intensive political dialogue at high level, increased economic contacts, and active educational, cultural and human exchanges, Velichkov said.

Inaugurating the event, Chinese ambassador to Bulgaria Wei Jinghua said the postage stamp is beautifully designed and is a nice gift for the bilateral relations.

Wei said, as ambassador of China to Bulgaria, he is proud of the development of bilateral relations and is filled with faith in the wonderful prospects that lie ahead.

Right away after the ceremony, Spas Panchev, president of the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists and deputy chairman of the parliamentary group of the ruling Coalition for Bulgaria told Xinhua that such a block costs 2.15 BGN (some 1.53 U.S. dollars), money enough to send a letter to China.

"It is not expensive, but it will cost a lot more a few years later because of its small circulation, 17,500 copies," Panchev said.