BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met with visiting Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivailo Kalfin here Monday. The two sides vowed to step up bilateral relations.

    Xi highlighted growth of bilateral relations in recent years, saying the two nations have witnessed a boom of cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, culture, science and technology.

    China values the traditional friendship with Bulgaria, Xi said, citing the fact that Bulgaria was the second country to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R Front) meets with visiting Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin (L Front) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2009

    China is willing to join hands with Bulgaria to step up bilateral relations in an effort to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-Bulgarian diplomatic relationship, Xi noted.

    Echoing Xi's views on bilateral relations, Kalfin said Bulgaria and China share similar views on many international issues, promising his country will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.

    Bulgaria would work closer with China to promote bilateral relations to a higher level, Kalfin said.

    Kalfin is on an official visit to China from March 21-25. Besides Beijing, he will also pay a visit to China's economic powerhouse Shanghai.