China on Tuesday donated 17 ambulances worth 5 million yuan (about US$600,000) to Bulgaria.

The Chinese embassy's political counselor, Wang Junling, symbolically presented the keys of the ambulances to Bulgaria's Health Minister Radoslav Gaidarski at a ceremony.

Lauding the traditional friendship between the two countries, Wang said China is making great efforts to strengthen relations with Bulgaria.

Gaidarski told the ceremony that the donation "is a gesture of the sincere friendly feelings of the Chinese people toward Bulgaria." We hope that the ambulances will be of help for the healthcare in the country," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2005)