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Head of State: Relations between Bulgaria and China Are Developing in a Spirit of Sincere Friendship and Fruitful Partnership

Iliana Iotova holds a meeting with State Councillor of the People's Republic of China 

Bulgaria and China are developing relations of sincere friendship, and the long years of excellent diplomatic relations can be built on with new initiatives and projects in all areas of mutual interest. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with State Councillor of the People's Republic of China Shen Yiqin.

The focus of the conversation was the expansion of cooperation between Bulgaria and China in various fields. Iliana Iotova emphasised the importance of the agreement signed in 2019 between Presidents Rumen Radev and Xi Jinping, which elevated relations between Bulgaria and China to the level of a strategic partnership. She noted that the presence of a regular government in Bulgaria with broad public support creates an opportunity for planning and implementing long-term initiatives between the two countries.

The Head of State and the State Councillor of the People's Republic of China discussed the deepening of contacts between Bulgaria and China in the fields of economy, trade, tourism, high technologies, education, and culture. Iliana Iotova highlighted the high quality of Bulgarian food and agricultural products and stressed the need to overcome the difficulties associated with the access of domestic goods and services to the Chinese market. She also stressed the need to open a direct Sofia-Beijing or Sofia-Shanghai flight.

During the meeting, focus was placed on the development of artificial intelligence on a global scale, with the President highlighting Bulgaria's contribution to the field of innovation and high technologies through the developments of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT). In the context of the rapid development of high technologies, Iliana Iotova and Shen Yiqin also commented on the challenges facing the protection of social rights. The focus of the State Council's activities is on human resources, social and civil policy, and women and children's issues. Shen Yiqin is also the chairperson of the All-China Women's Federation.

The common position was that the partnership between Bulgaria and China in the fields of culture and education has solid traditions and can contribute to the further strengthening of friendly relations between the two peoples. "Cultural and educational exchange is a natural bridge in Bulgarian-Chinese relations," said Iliana Iotova.

The State Councillor of China congratulated Iliana Iotova on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping on her inauguration as the first female president of Bulgaria.