site.btaDeputy Prime Minister and BSP National Council Chair Zafirov Meets with Senior Official of Communist Party of China

During his visit to China, Atanas Zafirov, chairperson of the National Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the BSP – United Left coalition, has met with Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC’s Publicity Department, the BSP press service said in a press release on Thursday.

The sides highlighted the stable and friendly relations between the BSP and CPC, which date back to 1949 and have been built over 76 years on the foundations of mutual respect and ideological affinity. They also noted that the China-Bulgaria strategic partnership, established in 2019, continues to develop at a high level.

Li Shulei, who oversees the culture, tourism, and media sectors, recalled his visit to Bulgaria in 2019 and shared his positive impressions of this country. He emphasized Bulgaria’s competitive advantages in the Chinese market, particularly in tourism and with authentic products such as rose oil, Bulgarian yogurt, and wine.

Zafirov expressed a commitment to strengthening trade ties between Bulgaria and China and to increasing the flow of Chinese tourists to Bulgaria. The sides also discussed the potential for launching a direct airline connection between the two countries and the inclusion of Burgas as a logistics hub on the China-Europe freight route under the One Belt, One Road initiative.

The sides also agreed to promote twinning initiatives between Chinese and Bulgarian cities, in close cooperation with BSP-affiliated mayors.

Zafirov commended China's peaceful foreign policy and the great achievements of Chinese modernization, expressing readiness to enhance inter-party cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural spheres. He also stressed BSP’s willingness to actively support the development of relations between China and the European Union.

The BSP delegation, led by Zafirov, includes BSP deputy chairperson and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov, BSP deputy chairperson Kaloyan Pargov, Peshtera Mayor and BSP Executive Bureau member Yordan Mladenov, chairperson of BSP’s Union of Socialist Women and Deputy Minister of Regional Development Dora Yankova, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and BSP Executive Bureau member Stefan Burdzhev.