The solemn celebration of the anniversary took place on September 29 in the "Diamond" Hall of the Ramada Sofia Hotel,

with a reception hosted by H. E. Ms. Dai Qingli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Bulgaria. On October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed, and since then, the Chinese people have celebrated their National Day on this date.

The event was attended by numerous guests, among them Ms. Natalia Kiselova, Chair of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria; Mr. Tsoncho Ganev, Deputy Chair of the National Assembly; Mr. Borislav Gutsanov, Minister; deputy ministers; representatives of Bulgarian state institutions; ambassadors; diplomats; friends of China; and members of the Chinese diaspora in Bulgaria.

In her welcoming speech, H. E. Ms. Dai Qingli expressed her joy at the opportunity to celebrate together with all the guests the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. She thanked everyone for taking the time to attend, calling their presence "a clear sign of Bulgaria’s high regard for Sino-Bulgarian relations and the deep friendship between our two countries."

She noted that this year marks the final year of the implementation of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan:

In the past five years, China's economic and social development has achieved continued progress with an average economic growth rate of 5.5%. The total economic output is expected to reach $20 trillion by 2025 and the contribution rate to world economic growth remains at around 30% during the 5-year term.

New breakthroughs have been made in the development of high and new technology application, with the production and sales of new energy vehicles maintaining the world's top position.

The installed capacity of new energy power generation has historically surpassed that of coal-fired power plants and the stock of industrial robots ranks first in the world.

Many foreign friends who visited China for the first time are amazed by its convenient network of high-speed rail and highways, world leading mobile payment options, diverse cultural activities and the true human rights and freedoms enjoyed by the Chinese people.

What is the reason to China's progress? It is the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, prioritizing the people's interests in everything we do, strengthening the Party's self-reform and people's oversight, and facing problems head-on while staying true to our founding aspirations.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Militarist Aggression and the World Anti Fascist War. As the main battlefield of the Anti Fascist War in the East, the Chinese people made significant contributions to the victory of the World’s Anti Fascist War with great national sacrifice.

We remember history not to perpetuate hatred, but to learn from the past, cherish peace and rally a common force to maintain peace.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Since the adoption of Resolution 2758 by the United Nations General Assembly in 1971 and China's restoration of its legitimate seat in the United Nations, our nation has fully participated in UN affairs.

I’m glad to share with you that in October this year, China will hold another Global Women's Summit in Beijing, writing a new chapter in the development of the global women's cause.

Defending the achievements of World War II victories and maintaining the international system and order with the United Nations at its core are in line with the common interests of the international community, including China and Europe.

Faced with the increasingly prominent global governance deficit, President Xi Jinping recently put forward a global governance initiative, upholding sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, advocating multilateralism and a people-centered approach and focusing on achieving results. This initiative has contributed China's wisdom and proposals on strengthening and improving global governance.

Multilateralism is an area of consensus between China and Europe. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Bulgaria, Europe and the international community to promote a just and reasonable global governance system and the building of a community with a shared future for humankind. 

Later in her speech, Her Excellency focused on China–Bulgaria relations:

This year marks the tenth anniversary of "Belt and Road" cooperation between China and Bulgaria. Over the past decade, cooperation in fields from trade, investment and finance to culture, education, science and technology, "the Belt and Road" has yielded fruitful results.

The Chinese and Bulgarian people have deepened the bonds of practical interests and spiritual communication. This year, there have been frequent high-level exchanges between our two countries. Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov visited China twice as Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Socialist Party respectively. Five ministers from Bulgaria and seven ministerial level officials from China visited each other's countries.

Not long ago, the 18th meeting of the China-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Economic Joint Committee was successfully held after a five-year hiatus.

The accompanying business forum attracted 120 enterprises from both countries, fully reflecting the earnest expectations of both sides for cooperation.

Just last week leading officials from over 40 cities in both countries attended the China-Bulgaria Local Cooperation Conference in Sofia. On the basis of the existing 22 pairs of sister cities, 4 more cities have signed letters of intent and other cooperation documents.

More than 30 cities in Bulgaria have launched Chinese language education and 9 cities have opened Chinese corners. This year, more than 200 students from various regions participated in summer camps in China and multiple artist groups from both countries exchanged visits.

With the changing global landscape and greater turbulence, and China and the EU should be friends rather than opponents, and our relationship should be defined by cooperation rather than confrontation.

As a strategic partner, we look forward to working with Bulgaria to seize opportunities to deepen cooperation and jointly promote the stable growth of China-Bulgaria relations, opening up a better tomorrow for both sides!

Now let us raise our glasses together,

Wishing the Chinese motherland progress and strength, peace and prosperity!

Wishing Chinese-Bulgarian and Chinese-EU relations greater progress!

Wishing all our guests peace, health, and every success!

Thank you all!

On the Bulgarian side, a speech was delivered by Ms. Natalia Kiselova, Chair of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

For the first time during the reception, awards were presented for contributions to the friendship between the peoples of Bulgaria and China. The recipients came from various fields in Bulgaria: Prof. Bora Belivanova, distinguished sinologist, scholar, and translator; Mr. Neyko Genchev, Deputy Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo - the historical and spiritual capital of Bulgaria - who has long been building bridges between Bulgaria and China; Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI); Mr. Lyuben Kozarev, Manager of the publishing house "Iztok-Zapad"; Mr. Zhivko Ivanov, Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism; and Assoc. Prof. Sonya Alexieva, lecturer at the New Bulgarian University, editor-in-chief, and compiler of the book China Through the Eyes of Bulgarians.

After the official ceremony, guests at the reception enjoyed performances of martial arts, Bulgarian and Chinese songs, and, of course, the renowned Chinese cuisine.

The photo was provided by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Bulgaria. On it: H. E. Ms. Dai Qingli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Bulgaria.