SOFIA -- Three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, connected with Bulgarian youth via video link on Saturday, sharing their experiences in space exploration and answering questions about life aboard the Tiangong space station.

Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, members of the Shenzhou XIX crewed spaceflight mission, fielded 15 questions from Bulgarian participants aged 8-22 during the event "Talking with Taikonauts." Topics ranged from comfort in spacecraft and spacesuits to daily activities like eating, using gadgets, and working on the space station.

The event marked several milestones, including the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria, the 155th anniversary of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and the 45th anniversary of Bulgaria's first astronaut Georgi Ivanov's mission. It featured space science lectures, a quiz, and an exhibition showcasing a mock-up of the Tiangong space station.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, in a letter to the event, emphasized the opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two countries in areas such as cultural exchange, space exploration, and high technology. He highlighted the potential for innovative partnerships to accelerate technological progress and provide opportunities for young people.

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli noted that China's rapidly advancing space industry is fostering international collaboration, with over 150 intergovernmental space cooperation agreements signed with more than 50 countries and organizations as of November 2023.

Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Education and Science Nikolay Vitanov described astronauts as symbols of the human spirit and the pursuit of knowledge, which transcends borders and unites humanity.

Members of the Bulgarian Parliament, Atanas Atanasov and Gabriel Valkov, praised the event as a meaningful platform for scientific exchange and strengthening bilateral relations.

"Such events should happen more often, so we can understand more about China, and also about Bulgaria," Valkov said.