As we greet the year 2022, I would like to, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, extend our best wishes to all our Bulgarian friends!

The past year was an extraordinary year for China.  We celebrated the centenary of the Communist Party of China, achieved the projected goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and eradicated absolute poverty in such a large country with a population of more than 1.4 billion, thereby embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects. In 2021, we also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations, where China has held high the torch of true multilateralism and firmly upheld the authority of the UN and a stable international order. We have effectively responded to the impact of the pandemic, setting a good example of COVID response through a “dynamic zero-COVID” strategy as well as solidarity in the fight against the pandemic through greater international cooperation. To date, China has provided more than two billion doses of vaccines to over 120 countries and international organizations, ranking first in the world and constituting strong support to the "lifeline" in the global counter-pandemic efforts. 

The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, successfully convened not long ago, adopted and promulgated a new historical resolution, which comprehensively summarized the major achievements and historical experience of the Communist Party of China over the past century, and provided guidance for the party and the people to forge further ahead to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The past year was also a fruitful year for China-Bulgaria relations. The two countries have supported each other and cooperated closely in safeguarding multilateralism and strengthening global governance, etc. Despite the impact of the pandemic, our economic and trade links have been further strengthened, with bilateral trade in the first 11 months reaching US$3.692 billion, an increase of 40.3% over the same period last year. Among the 88 agreements reached at the China-CEEC Summit held early this year, 9 were related to Bulgaria. We are happy to see quite some highlights in our cooperation in the fields of agriculture, culture, education, science and technology, and local exchanges -- the official launch of the Luban Workshop, the steady development of the China-CEEC Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Plovdiv, the enhancement of local-level exchanges following the twinning of Sofia Region and Jiangxi Province, and the encouraging news from Miss Yanuzova, a student from Sofia University, who won the second prize at the 2021“Chinese Bridge”- Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students.

Looking ahead to 2022, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be convened. There will be new opportunities and great prospects for friendly and pragmatic cooperation between China and Bulgaria.  In my capacity as the Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria for nearly three years, I have strongly sensed the enthusiasm of the Bulgarian people to deepen cooperation with China and their expectations to achieve common development. China is ready to work with Bulgaria to advance the continuous development of the strategic partnership between the two countries for more fruitful results in friendly cooperation in various fields.  I am confident that, when the pandemic is over, more Chinese tourists will visit Bulgaria to explore the Seven Lakes, the Black Sea, and many other attractions, to savor the famous Bulgarian yogurt and wine, and enjoy the joyous Xopo dance... We also look forward to welcoming more Bulgarian friends to visit and experience China.

I sincerely wish you all happiness, good health, and success in the new year! I also wish Bulgarian athletes good luck and success in fulfilling their dreams at the Beijing Winter Olympics!