NEWS

Rosen Plevneliev in Beijing: Although Bulgaria is a Small Economy, It Is One of China’s Best Friends

The state visit of President Rosen Plevneliev in the People’s Republic of China started with a meeting held with the Bulgarian community in Beijing, with diplomats and friends of Bulgaria. The visit, which is the first one in the past 15 years, will take place under the sign of the 65th anniversary since the diplomatic relations between the two countries have been established.

“Bulgaria attaches great importance to this anniversary and is developing an ambitious program to jointly mark it, including programs in the economy, tourism, culture and education sectors,” the Head of State told representatives of the Bulgarian community in the Chinese capital, compatriots working in China, diplomats and officials in the Bulgarian Embassy in China.  The President recalled that Bulgaria is the second country in the world to have recognized the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese side highly appreciates this fact.

Rosen Plevneliev highlighted that the relationships between the two countries are excellent and the political dialogue between them is intensive.  “We will encourage the representatives of the Bulgarian institutions, the local authorities and the business environment to come into even more frequent contacts and strengthen the cooperation.”

The relationships between Bulgaria and China are yet to reach a new, higher level by establishing a friendly partnership and cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the People’s Republic of China.  On 13 January a joint official statement will be released after the talks between President Rosen Plevneliev and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China are held.  “For us, this is a new stage in our relationships.  By issuing this document we will voice our strong will to strengthen our multilateral cooperation and to pool efforts to raise the relationships between the two countries to the level of a new strategic partnership,” the Head of State emphasized.

Rosen Plevneliev further said that the trade between the two countries has increased four times and today it is worth 1.7 billion US dollars.  “However, the potential is much higher and we will fulfill it together,” the President was adamant.

Two business forums will be held within the Head of State’s visit to China.  “We would like to show the achievements of the Bulgarian economy, Bulgaria’s strategic location which will give the Chinese goods and services access not only to the European, but also to a wider regional market.  We would like to show Bulgaria’s intellectual potential, the rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as the good business environment in Bulgaria, the low taxes and mostly the friendly and healthy relationships between the two peoples,” the President summarized the aims of the visit. In his words, the opportunities for Chinese investments in Bulgaria are excellent and the already existing ones are profitable and have a considerable potential for development.

“Although Bulgaria is not one of the big economies in the European Union, it certainly is one of China’s best friends in the EU and we perform a role in strengthening the strategic partnership between the EU and the People’s Republic of China,” Rosen Plevneliev said.

For Bulgaria, the initiative launched by the People’s Republic of China for cooperation with the Central and East European States is a very important tool. Bulgaria is interested in implementing projects in the sphere of infrastructure – building tunnels, railroad and hydro facilities, as well as in the expansion and modernization of the industrial zones, harbors and airports included in the program of the Chinese government worth 10 billion US dollars.  

The opening of Bulgarian and Chinese culture centers is being prepared, in Sofia and Beijing respectively, the Head of State further said. A memorandum on understanding between the Culture Ministries of Bulgaria and China for the joint establishment of cultural centers will be signed at a ceremony which Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Xi Jinping will attend.

Earlier the Head of State laid a wreath at the monument of Khristo Botev in the Chaoyang park in Beijing. The author of the monument is Bulgaria’s great friend professor Yuen Sikung.

On 13 January President Rosen Plevneliev will be welcomed with an official ceremony at “The Great Hall of the People” in Beijing by Xi Jinping, Chinese president and Secretary General of the Chinese Communist Party.  The Head of State will also visit the high-tech zone Junguantsun in the capital of China.