site.btaSINPI Chair: Instability in Bulgarian-Chinese Relations Rooted in Blind Following of Foreign Economic, Political Insterest

The political instability in Bulgarian-Chinese relations is rooted in the blind following of foreign economic and political interests, often justifying the common EU positions formed under the influence of these same interests, Strategic Institute for National Policies and Ideas (SINPI) Chair Kaloyan Pargov said on Wednesday in Sofia. He opened the International Conference History and Perspectives of Bulgarian-Chinese Relations - Politics and Economy: Bilateral and Regional Aspects, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The freshest example of this is the increased customs duties on imports of electric cars made in China, Pargov added, quoted by CINPI.

President Rumen Radev, under whose patronage the conference was held, Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov and Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Deng Li sent greetings to the forum.

National Assembly Deputy Chair Andrey Chorbanov, former National Assembly chair Mihail Mikov (2013 - 2014) and former caretaker prime minister Stefan Yanev delivered their addresses on the spot. 

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli also made an introductory speech.

"Against the backdrop of escalating trade relations between the US and China, there is hardly any benefit for Europe to follow the overseas example, which is unlikely to make it stronger. And Bulgaria, as the last-ranked country in everything positive in the EU, does not need more negative influences on its own economy," Pargov noted, adding that every crisis creates opportunities that are worth pursuing together, especially given the 75-year relationship between the two countries.

In his words, Bulgaria desperately needs re-industrialisation and the automotive industry is something that can play the role of a kind of economic stimulus. "Why not in cooperation with China?" he asked.