European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who is in China for the first-ever EU-China High Level "Partnership" Dialogue, visited the Bulgarian pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai, the Foreign Ministry in Sofia said in a media statement on August 30 2010.

Ashton wrote in the Bulgarian pavilion’s guestbook, "to beautiful Bulgaria – a beautiful country, a member of Europe and an inspiration for the future," the Foreign Ministry said.

She examined a copy of the Thracian golden mask and other Thracian-era treasures. Ashton said that she had the warmest associations with Bulgaria after her visits, and emphasised that she relied a lot on the Bulgarian members of her team. During her visit to Shanghai, she toured all EU countries’ pavilions at the expo.

Separately, a media statement by the European Commission said that Ashton was in China for the partnership diaologue, "a key staging post ahead of the upcoming Gymnich informal Foreign Ministers meeting and summit of EU leaders where China will take centre stage as part of a wider discussion on strategic partnerships".

In May 2009, Ashton and state councillor Dai Bingguo, China's most senior interlocutor on foreign affairs and security policy, agreed to co-chair the EU-China High-Level Strategic Dialogue, which is designed "to address issues of concern and mutual interest through frank and constructive engagement at the highest level," the European Commission statement said.

"The EU and China have shown a common will to deepen bilateral relations on foreign and security matters such as the Korean Peninsula, Iran, Africa and piracy in the Gulf of Aden," according to the statement.

Ashton said that she believed that a strong EU-China co-operation could bring concrete solutions in these areas.

"The EU and China face common challenges and share similar goals. I look forward to working together with state councillor Dai Bingguo in order to advance a constructive and cooperative relationship with China - a key strategic partner for Europe in a globalised world," Ashton said.

Ashton will meet other Chinese leaders in Beijing, Shanghai and Guizhou, including premier Wen Jiabao and foreign minister Yang Jiechi with whom she hopes to advance and deepen relations on international issues such as the global economy, climate change, trade and development ahead of the EU-China summit on October 6 2010.

While in Shangai on August 30, Ashton was scheduled to meet Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and foreign minister Miguel Moratinos who are also visiting China.

On August 31 and September 1, Ashton will be in the Guiyang region where she will visit local communities before attending the Strategic Dialogue with Dai. She will then travel on to Beijing on September 2 and 3 for a ministerial dialogue with foreign minister Yang and talks with premier Wen.