[Wang Yi talks with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Petrova] On October 19, 2026 local time, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held talks with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Petrova in Sofia. Wang Yi said that Bulgaria was one of the first countries to recognize New China and they share friendly feelings with each other. China-Bulgaria relations are facing important opportunities, and this visit to Bulgaria comes at the right time. The two sides had in-depth communications on planning high-level exchanges in the next stage and promoting practical cooperation in various fields, and reached broad consensus. It is necessary to continuously consolidate the political foundation, strengthen communication and coordination, and create important conditions for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. China respects Bulgaria's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, is happy to see Bulgaria accelerate the realization of its development goals under the leadership of the new government, and is willing to be Bulgaria's long-term and reliable strategic partner in this process. It is hoped that Bulgaria will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and understand and support China's legitimate position of safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. Wang Yi said that China is willing to work with Bulgaria to be partners in connecting Europe and Asia, jointly developing and revitalizing, and practicing multilateralism. Both sides should coordinate and promote the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", docking of the "Middle Corridor", China-Central and Eastern European cooperation, China-EU cooperation, etc. to form synergy to promote the accelerated development of their respective countries. Wang Yi stressed that China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and serve each other's development opportunities, not challenges. They should respect each other, appreciate each other, achieve together, and jointly shoulder the international responsibility for world peace and development. It is hoped that the EU will work with China to adhere to the correct direction of opening up to the outside world, hold high the banner of free trade, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and find ways to handle differences and solve problems through dialogue and consultation. Petrova said that Bulgaria and China enjoy profound traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation in various fields. Bulgaria has long adhered to and will continue to firmly pursue the one-China policy. Actively developing relations with China is the clear direction of the Baoxin government. Bulgaria is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, culture, education and other fields, expand cooperation in high-tech and high-value-added fields, and very much looks forward to the early opening of direct flights between the two countries. The Territory is located between the East and the West and is the crossroads connecting the Eurasian continent. It attaches great importance to connectivity and is willing to find more areas of convergence of interests with China in this field. Bulgaria supports China-EU active dialogue and welcomes the positive progress in China-EU trade and investment consultations. It is hoped that both sides will continue to uphold mutual respect and a pragmatic attitude, focus on the overall situation, and find a solution that takes into account the concerns of all parties. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional hotspot issues such as the Ukraine crisis.