site.btaBulgaria and China Highlight Deepening Political, Economic and Scientific Cooperation During High-Level Visit

A series of events in Sofia over the past days highlighted the strengthening partnership between Bulgaria and China in politics, economy, culture and science, as the two countries marked the 10th anniversary of Bulgaria’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov said on Monday that relations between Bulgaria and China have deep historical roots, grounded in mutual respect, trust and long-standing friendship. He recalled that Bulgaria was the second country in the world to recognize the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and noted that the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, celebrated last year, underlines the stability of bilateral relations. During his meeting with Xiao Jie, Vice Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Borissov stressed Bulgaria’s intention to continue its cooperation with China’s supreme legislative body.

Deputy Prime Minister and BSP Chair Atanas Zafirov also conferred with Xiao Jie during the delegation’s visit. On Monday, Zafirov attended the signing of seventeen cooperation agreements between Bulgarian and Chinese universities, NGOs and professional associations in the fields of education, healthcare and economic partnership. The agreements mark a decade since Bulgaria joined the Belt and Road Initiative. Zafirov said the new partnerships reflect the readiness of both countries to deepen ties based on transparency, dialogue and mutual respect. Xiao Jie and Zafirov also viewed a cultural exhibition showcasing traditional Chinese arts and crafts.

National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan received Xiao Jie on Saturday, expressing Parliament’s desire to further develop cooperation with the NPC and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Scientific cooperation was also in focus on Monday at a forum organized by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and China Media Group. BAS President Evelina Slavcheva underlined the role of innovation and technology in sustainable development and said that Bulgarian–Chinese scientific relations are an example of mutually beneficial collaboration. She highlighted long-standing cooperation between Bulgarian researchers and Chinese companies in the battery industry and noted that BAS is a founding member of the Belt and Road Alliance for Low-Carbon Energy Technologies.

BAS Chief Scientific Secretary Neli Koseva reviewed the work of joint scientific teams, noting that researchers from both countries have completed 14 collaborative projects, with two new ones beginning next year in functional genomics and karst studies. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Zafirov and deputy ministers from the education and regional development ministries.

The visit of the Chinese parliamentary delegation and the series of accompanying initiatives underscored the broad scope of Bulgarian–Chinese cooperation from legislative dialogue and economic partnerships to cultural exchange and joint scientific research.