¡¡ The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a banquet in Beijing on October 4 evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Bulgarian diplomatic ties.

¡¡ Jiang Zhenghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), together with other senior Chinese officials, attended the banquet.

¡¡ CPAFFC President Qi Huaiyuan said on the occasion that although great changes have taken place in both the international situation and domestic situation in the two countries over the past half a century, Sino-Bulgarian friendship has maintained and developed further.

¡¡ He added that leaders of the two countries have also had frequent exchanges of visits, and cooperation in various fields has been progressing. Qi said he believed that Sino-Bulgarian friendship and cooperation will continue to grow in the 21st century.

¡¡ Bulgaria's ambassador to China Dimitar Tzanev said that Bulgaria's governments at various periods of time have respected the choice made by the Chinese people and China's foreign policy of peace. He wished that the Chinese people will make even greater progress in the years ahead. (Xinhua)