[Ambassador Q&A] Ambassador of China in Bulgaria H.E. Dai Qingli: "On a Steady Course for China-Bulgaria and China-Europe Relations"

 

 

Bulgaria was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. In recent years, China-Bulgaria economic and trade ties have seen steady growth, with bilateral trade expanding at an accelerating pace and cooperation becoming increasingly diversified. In an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online (Overseas Edition), ambassador of China in Bulgaria H.E. Dai Qingli shared her perspectives on the current state of bilateral relations and prospects for future mutually beneficial cooperation. The publication solicited questions from overseas Chinese in Bulgaria, with a curated selection of the most representative ones presented to the Ambassador for her response. Ambassador Dai emphasized that under the Belt and Road Initiative and the framework of China-CEEC cooperation, practical economic and trade collaboration between the two countries has borne significant fruit, while exchanges between political parties, legislatures, civil societies, and local governments continue to deepen and solidify.

People's Daily Online (Overseas Edition): How do you assess the past and current state of China-Bulgaria relations? Peering into the future, what do you see as the most promising pathway for our two nations to jointly foster a stable and enduring bilateral relationship?

Answer: Looking back, Bulgaria was the second country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Over the 76 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our two nations have navigated an ever-changing international landscape together, standing by each other with consistent understanding and support. Our traditional friendship has not only endured but grown stronger. A key milestone was reached in 2019 when, under the strategic guidance of Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, and Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, our relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in our bilateral ties.

Today, China-Bulgaria relations continue to develop steadily, with mutual respect, trust, and win-win cooperation defining the core of our engagement. This year has seen frequent high-level exchanges: Bulgarian Vice-President Iliana Iotova attended the Global Summit of Women in China, and Atanas Zafirov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), traveled to China on two separate occasions, among other events, attending relative activities to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Besides, several ministerial-level officials have also conducted reciprocal visits, further strengthening our political mutual trust and strategic coordination.

This year holds special significance as it marks the 10th anniversary of Bulgaria’s participation in Belt and Road cooperation. Our collaboration across various sectors continues to advance positively. From January to July, our bilateral trade volume reached 2.57 billion USD, representing a notable 23.9 percent year-on-year growth, cementing China's position as Bulgaria’s second-largest trading partner outside the EU. The China-Europe Railway Express service linking Jinan to Burgas has significantly enhanced connectivity between the two countries. Furthermore, Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area and its impending adoption of the Euro zone will make travel and business between our citizens even more convenient. In recent months, a series of vibrant business matchmaking events have taken place, and leaders from over 60 of our cities have undertaken study tours in each other’s countries, energizing local exchanges and cooperation. Chinese language education is now available in more than 30 Bulgarian cities through Confucius Institutes, and nine cities have set up "China Corners" backed by the Sofia China Cultural Center. These initiatives mark the learning of Chinese language and the experience of Chinese culture increasingly popular throughout Bulgaria, thus enriching the substance of our strategic partnership and delivering tangible benefits to people in both countries.

Looking forward, China is committed to working hand-in-hand with Bulgaria to transform our long-standing friendship into a dynamic driver for cooperation, to turn our immense potential and shared vision into concrete reality, and to jointly steer China-Bulgaria and China-Europe relations onto a steady and enduring course for the long term.

First, we will work together to enhance political mutual trust. The Bulgarian government’s firm commitment to the one-China policy plays a vital political foundation for the growth of our bilateral relations. China stands ready to maintain high-level engagement with Bulgaria counterpart, intensify strategic communication, and deepen exchanges on governance models, thereby providing strategic guidance for the long-term and stable development of our ties. In addressing diverse global challenges, China is willing to join hands with Bulgaria to advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative. Together, we can help build a more just and equitable global governance system and foster a community with a shared future for mankind.

Second, we will focus on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. China and Bulgaria enjoy strong synergies and immense potential for collaboration in sectors such as agri-food products, new energy, transport and logistics, and artificial intelligence. China aims to further expand trade and investment with Bulgaria, enabling more Bulgarian products to access the Chinese market. We will leverage Chinese expertise in areas like photovoltaics and new energy vehicles (NEVs)to support Bulgaria’s green transition. At the same time, we will capitalize on Bulgaria’s strategic location to strengthen cooperation in developing international transport corridors across the Caspian Sea and Black Sea, thereby elevating the connectivity between our two countries.

Third, we will deepen mutual learning between our civilizations. Both sides should work together to support language education and boost cooperation in science, technology, and education. We will strive to improve visa facilitation, accelerate the launch of direct flights, and promote tourism collaboration. We also encourage more exchange visits by art troupes for performances, as well as exhibitions featuring each other's cultural relics and art, continuously building bridges for cultural interaction and deepening mutual understanding and friendship between our people.

People's Daily Online (Overseas Edition):Bulgaria is both a partner in the Belt and Road Initiative and a member of the European Union. How would you view the progress in China-Bulgaria economic and trade cooperation, and what role would you say Bulgaria plays within the broader context of China-EU economic relations ?

Answer: Bulgaria was among the first cohort of countries to join Belt and Road cooperation. The past decade of building the Belt and Road together has seen a continuous deepening of practical collaboration in economy and trade. This partnership has not only injected fresh vitality and momentum into the development of China-Bulgaria relations but has also served as a crucial pillar supporting the overall bilateral relationship.

I. Substantial Outcomes in Practical Cooperation with Expanding Scope and Depth

In trade, bilateral trade volume has increased from 2.9 billion USD in 2020 to 4.1 billion USD in 2024, achieving an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent - significantly higher than the overall growth rate of China-EU trade. Bulgaria stands out as a leading exporter of agricultural products to China among Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), with its specialty goods such as rose oil, dairy products, and wine being increasingly favored by Chinese consumers. Chinese-branded electric buses are now a common sight on the streets of Sofia and other cities, while trade cooperation in green sectors like photovoltaics and energy storage is progressing steadily. These developments are not only supporting Bulgaria’s green transition but also contributing to local well-being. A notable example of this momentum was at the 4th China-CEEC Expo held in Ningbo back in May, resulting in a total intended transaction value of 1.55 billion yuan from 27 Bulgarian companies.

In investment, the level of collaboration has been consistently rising. From the early agricultural engagements of companies like Tianjin State Farms Agribusiness Group and Tianjin Tianshinong Farming Technology Co Ltd, to the active involvement of Huawei and ZTE in Bulgaria’s information and communications technology sector, Chinese enterprises have built trust with local partners through tangible contributions. In recent years, Bulgaria’s priority areas for investment attraction have shown strong alignment with China’s competitive industries. The establishment of high-quality manufacturing projects in Bulgaria, such as those by Shanghai Unison Aluminium Products and Shanghai United Bearing, alongside the launch of photovoltaic power plant projects by United Energy Group (UEG), marks a clear shift of China-Bulgaria investment cooperation toward more high-value and diversified development, thereby infusing new dynamism into bilateral economic and trade relations.

II. Stronger Willingness to Cooperate, with Bulgaria’s Strengths Coming to the Fore

This September, the 18th meeting of China-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation was successfully convened, resuming after a five-year interval. During the meeting, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Ling Ji led a business delegation to Bulgaria and paid a courtesy call to Bulgarian President Radev. President Radev explicitly stated that China is an exceptionally important economic partner for Bulgaria and conveyed Bulgaria’s readiness to deepen investment and cooperation with China in high-tech, artificial intelligence, and high value-added sectors. This high-level endorsement clearly demonstrates the importance and expectation placed on practical bilateral cooperation at the highest level of Bulgaria’s leadership. Following the meeting, a series of supporting events held by the Joint Commission, including the China-Bulgaria Business Forum, the Balkan–China Silk Road Economic Forum, and the Jiangsu-Bulgaria Economic and Trade Promotion Conference, were held in succession in Bulgaria, drawing enthusiastic participation from more than 200 companies from both sides. These events facilitated in-depth, sector-specific exchanges in areas such as manufacturing, telecommunications, biopharmaceuticals, finance, and infrastructure, resulting in a number of preliminary cooperation agreements.

Bulgaria’s strategic location at the crossroads of Eurasia, coupled with its solid industrial foundation, relatively low corporate income tax, and competitive labor costs, gives it outstanding locational advantages. On one hand, its recent full accession to the Schengen Area and impending entry into the Euro zone are set to further amplify its role as a regional hub, its market potential, and its overall attractiveness - all of which will create more favorable conditions for China-Bulgaria and China-EU trade and investment collaboration. On the other, it is also important to acknowledge that China-Bulgaria economic and trade cooperation still faces certain difficulties and challenges. Measured against the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and the high expectations of Chinese and Bulgarian people, the current level of collaboration still has room to grow. Furthermore, the numerous trade and investment restrictive measures enacted at the EU level against China have inevitably generated headwinds against any further deepening of cooperation.

III. Staying True to the Principle of Mutual Benefit and Win-Win Results for New Breakthroughs in China-EU Cooperation

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. The very nature of this relationship is one of mutual benefit. Over the past five decades, our collaboration in areas such as infrastructure construction, green transition, and supply chain stability has yielded visible results and tangibly improved the well-being of people. We have noted, however, a recent tendency within the EU to politicize economic and trade issues. This trend severely undermines China-EU cooperation to the ultimate detriment of its own member states, including Bulgaria.

Looking ahead, Bulgaria plays a unique and crucial role as a dual "bridge" connecting East and West, and linking Belt and Road partner countries with the EU member states. With Belt and Road cooperation as its central priority, China stands ready to work with Bulgaria to further strengthen policy communication and alignment of development strategies, and promote deeper and more substantive progress in our practical economic and trade collaboration. Through these efforts, we will continue to enhance the welfare of our people and inject greater stability and positive energy into the healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations.

People's Daily Online (Overseas Edition): Since you began your tenure in Bulgaria, you have engaged with representatives from various sectors of society and traveled extensively across the country. Could you share with us some particularly memorable moments or encounters?

Answer: First and foremost, I have been deeply struck by the genuine warmth of friendship from the Bulgarian people. Among EU member states, Bulgaria ranks first in terms of positive perceptions toward China. Wherever my duties have taken me, I have been met with heartfelt goodwill from Bulgarians toward the Chinese people, as well as their sincere admiration for China’s path to modernization. According to a poll released in February by a European think tank, 59 percent of Bulgarian respondents see China as an “indispensable partner” or “ally”, the highest proportion among more than a dozen European nations surveyed.

The bond between Chinese and Bulgarian people is also illustrated by many moving stories. During Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Dr·Ianto Kaneti, a Bulgarian physician often compared to Dr. Norman Bethune for his internationalist spirit, and his Chinese wife, Zhang Sunfen, risked their own safety to treat the wounded on the front lines in China. After the war, they returned to Bulgaria, where they devoted themselves to promoting Chinese language education and cultural exchanges between our two countries, making exceptional contributions in these fields. In a poignant reflection of their dedication to this friendship, they named their two sons “Baozhong” and “Baohua,” names that carry their profound hopes for the China-Bulgaria relationship. Today, Dr. Kaneti’s great-grandson, Mr. Anton, is actively working to promote traditional Chinese medicine in Bulgaria, marking a living testament to how the friendship between our nations is passed down through generations and continues to connect people from both countries heart-to-heart.

Recently, the Embassy, on behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, presented the Commemorative Medal for the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to the descendants of Dr·Ianto Kaneti. This medal constitutes the highest honor conferred upon Dr. Ianto Kaneti by the Chinese government and people, serving as a powerful testament to the profound friendship between our two nations and people.

It is truly remarkable to see the Bulgarian people’s deep interest in, and considerable appreciation for, Chinese culture. Last year, a performance of Kunqu Opera in Bulgaria concluded with the entire audience rising to their feet in a sustained, warm ovation, which is a clear sign of the strong resonance that this unique form of Chinese theater found among Bulgarian viewers. In April, when a renowned Chinese author visited Bulgaria, the book signing and sale that followed a discussion and sharing session lasted for over three hours. Such instances serve as powerful evidence that Chinese culture has found not only a wide audience but also an eager fan base in Bulgaria, pointing toward a future rich with potential for cultural exchange and people-to-people collaboration.

I am convinced that Chinese and Bulgarian people, who treat each other with sincerity and hold mutual admiration, form the very foundation and enduring bond of our bilateral relationship. The continuous deepening of this people-to-people friendship is sure to provide an inexhaustible source of momentum for the future development of China-Bulgaria relations.

A member of the overseas Chinese community working in Bulgaria's tourism sector: In November 2024, China initiated a trial visa-exemption policy for Bulgarian ordinary passport holders. How does the Embassy plan to guide and assist the overseas Chinese community here in Bulgaria to better leverage their unique advantages, thereby fostering more in-depth cooperation between our two countries in culture and tourism?

Answer: In recent years, tourism cooperation between China and Bulgaria has maintained positive momentum, with its potential being steadily unlocked. The visa facilitation policies, namely the trial visa-exemption implemented by China for Bulgarian passport holders last year, coupled with Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen Area earlier this year, have created fresh opportunities for bilateral tourism collaboration. We are seeing a steady rise in the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is endowed with a mild climate and abundant tourism resources. It holds the second-largest number of hot spring resorts in Europe and ranks third in terms of cultural heritage sites. From scenic coastlines and ski resorts to extensive hiking trails, the country offers a diverse range of attractions, serving as a true "hidden gem" that combines stunning natural landscapes with profound cultural depth. Moreover, Bulgaria’s well-developed transport infrastructure and well-maintained roads provide excellent conditions for self-drive tours. It is our sincere hope that more Chinese visitors will take the opportunity to further explore the unique charms of Bulgaria, and that, in turn, more Bulgarian travelers will choose to visit China and experience the richness of Chinese culture. Such mutual exchanges will undoubtedly infuse new vitality into the continued deepening of our strategic partnership.

Moving forward, China and Bulgaria will continue to deepen their collaboration and elevate the quality and sophistication of tourism exchanges. First, we will enhance communication and coordination between tourism authorities, travel agencies, and media organizations from both countries. This includes organizing reciprocal familiarization tours to enable more industry professionals to gain firsthand experience of each other's tourism resources. Second, we will encourage active participation in each other's tourism exhibitions and co-host promotional events, film screenings, and cultural showcases. These efforts are aimed at continuously enhancing the visibility and attractiveness to each other's audiences. Third, we will focus on jointly developing more high-quality tourism routes and products. A key initiative will be to develop "multi-stop" cross-border travel packages that allow visitors to visit multiple destinations within a single itinerary, offering a richer array of choices for visitors and significantly enhancing their overall travel experience.

In this process, the overseas Chinese community, with their dual advantages in language proficiency and socio-cultural networks, naturally serve as a vital bridge for cultural and tourism exchanges. The Embassy will strengthen communication and coordination with overseas Chinese associations, chambers of commerce, and relevant organizations to facilitate information sharing, joint activities, and resource integration. Our goal is to guide and empower them to act as a central force in driving China-Bulgaria cultural and tourism cooperation forward, thereby continuously deepening bilateral exchanges in the fields of culture and tourism.

We further encourage overseas Chinese travel agencies to take a more proactive role in promoting China's cultural and tourism resources. By fully leveraging the visa-exemption policy for Bulgarian ordinary passport holders, they should design high-quality travel itineraries and products for trips to China. Concurrently, utilizing their unique resource advantages, they can introduce Bulgaria's high-quality, unique, cultural and tourism products to the Chinese market. Besides, they can play a crucial role in assisting the Bulgarian side with training Chinese-speaking tour guides and improving service standards. These concerted efforts will help attract more Chinese tourists to Bulgaria, vigorously promote two-way personnel exchanges, and foster a future of cultural exchange and mutually beneficial tourism, as well as stronger people-to-people bonds.(Interview compiled by Zhang Xuanhao)

 

 

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