Wang Lequan (C), a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Vice President of Bulgaria Margarita Popova in Sofia, May 22, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

SOFIA?- A visiting senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said on Tuesday that China is confident about prospect of Sino-Bulgarian cooperation.

During a meeting with Vice President of Bulgaria Margarita Popova, Wang Lequan, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, recognized the deep traditional friendship between China and Bulgaria and the two peoples.

The relations between the two countries have maintained sound momentum of development with frequent of high-level visits and deepening of the mutually-beneficial cooperation and the cultural exchanges, Wang said.

China appreciates the support from Bulgaria on issues concerning China's core interests, Wang said, adding that the two sides should focus on their strategic plans in the new era, promote the exchanges in all respects and at all levels, and promote the pragmatic cooperation for the benefits of the two peoples.

Popova, for her part, said that Bulgaria has always regarded China as an important partner and one of its priorities in diplomatic relations.

Noting that the development of the friendly and mutually-beneficial cooperation has important strategic meaning for Bulgaria, she said that there is huge potential in the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

Bulgaria will actively promote the cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, energy and ecological environmental protection, Popova said.

Bulgaria spoke highly of China's contribution for the world's peace and global economic development, she said, adding that Bulgaria is willing to strengthen the communication and coordination with China in world and regional affairs.

At the invitation of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), the ruling party of Bulgaria, a delegation of the CPC headed by Wang arrived on May 20 in Bulgaria.