Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev here Wednesday.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as well as the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria, Li said.

Li said after the founding of the PRC, Bulgaria was the country visited by the NPC delegation during its first visit.

In the face of world changes and challenges, China is committed to promoting the construction of an open world economy while expanding opening-up, said Li, adding that China will push forward common development with countries around the world including Bulgaria while expanding win-win cooperation.

Li said the NPC is ready to work with Bulgaria to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, conduct closer exchanges between legislative bodies of the two countries, enhance legislation and supervision cooperation, and exchange governance experiences.

The two heads of state decided to lift bilateral ties to a strategic partnership Wednesday.

Radev said Bulgaria is committed to developing the strategic partnership between the two countries. He added that his country is willing to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road and support cooperation between the Central and Eastern European countries and China.