Chinese military attache in Bulgaria awarded medal for promotion of ties

SOFIA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian Defense Minister Veselin Bliznakov on Tuesday awarded the military attache of the Chinese Embassy for his promotion of ties between the militaries of the two countries.

At a ceremony, Bliznakov personally awarded Senior Colonel Xu Haichao with the first-class medal for his outstanding contributions to the friendly ties between the Bulgarian and Chinese armies and between the two countries.

Bliznakov hailed the exchange of visits by the Bulgarian and Chinese defense ministers in the past two years as an important event in the military history of both countries. He said his trip to China in 2007 left him with a deep and beautiful impression.

Xu, who is to leave for home on completion of his duty, said the medal is an honor not only for himself, but for the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

He said the reciprocal visits by the defense chiefs of the two countries served as a landmark in the development of ties between the Chinese and Bulgarian militaries and gave a big boost to China-Bulgaria relations.

At the awarding ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaira Zhang Wanxue said the medal is both an encouragement to Xu and a token of friendship with the Chinese army and people.

The ceremony was attended by other senior officials of the Bulgarian Defense Ministry and Chinese Embassy officials. Senior Colonel Wang Dayu, who succeeds Xu as the military attache, was also present at the gathering.