Xu Yan, vice-mayor of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, presents a plaque to the Pancharevo district in Bulgaria. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Xu Yan, vice-mayor of Ningbo in Zhejiang province, presented the plaque for the "Dragon Boat Culture Exchange Base and Dragon Boat Culture Exhibition" to Evgenia Alexieva, mayor of Pancharevo district in Bulgaria on Monday, marking a new phase in cultural exchange between China and Bulgaria with the establishment of Chinese dragon boat culture in the nation.

The Dragon Boat Culture Exhibition presented Chinese dragon boat culture in multiple forms, including pictures, physical exhibits and multimedia.

Ningbo, known as the hometown of Chinese dragon boat culture, showcased its historical heritage and contemporary innovation, illustrating the city as a place where ancient and modern knowledge converge and connect the world, as seen through the friendship between China and Bulgaria.

Sofia residents visit the Dragon Boat Culture Exhibition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Dragon Boat Culture Exchange Base and Dragon Boat Culture Exhibition at the China Cultural Center in Sofia hold significant importance.

Evgenia Alexieva said, "I hope this is a new starting point for deepening cultural exchanges between China and Bulgaria. In the future, we will continue to leverage our respective strengths, explore cooperation potential, establish more communication platforms, steadily deepen exchanges and visits and contribute greater efforts to further enhance bilateral relations between China and Bulgaria."