SOFIA, Jan. 28 -- Chinese and Bulgarian officials here on Tuesday evening said the two countries would further deepen bilateral ties in the Year of the Horse.

"Our common goal is to strengthen mutual political trust, and our common goal is to expand cooperation in economy and trade," Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Wei Jinghua said, addressing a Spring Festival reception organized by Bulgaria-China Forum (BCF).

Established in 2011, BCF is an organization dedicated to the promotion of bilateral relations.

Recently, the leaders of the two countries jointly have declared the establishment of an all-around friendly partnership between China and Bulgaria, Wei said.

Wei said the declaration fully confirmed the course of development of the two countries' ties over the past 65 years and set the direction for future development.

Angel Marin, Chairman of BCF and former Bulgarian Vice President, said 2013 was a "remarkable year" in the cooperation between Bulgaria and China.