China and Bulgaria on Friday marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in Beijing.

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, hailed the development of bilateral ties in the last six decades and pledged to boost cooperation.

Bulgarian Ambassador to China Georgi Peychinov also pledged to expand ties and promote the relationship between China and the European Union.

Almost a hundred guests from both countries, including Zhang Meiying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended a reception to mark the anniversary.

Bulgaria established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Oct. 4, 1949, becoming the second country to recognize the PRC following the Soviet Union.