site.btaChinese Delegation Visits Sofia at Invitation of BSP Leadership

A delegation of the Chinese Communist Party, led by CPC’s Central Committee International Department Vice Minister Chen Zhou, visited Sofia at the invitation of the new leadership of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), the party’s press office said.

In the meeting held at the BSP headquarters, which was also attended by the Chinese Ambassador here Dai Qingli, the two sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation and their positions on various foreign policy and economic issues. The fact that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was also highlighted, with Bulgaria being the second country in the world after the USSR to recognise the People’s Republic of China.

BSP Deputy Chairman Kristian Vigenin briefed the guests on the current political situation in the country and BSP's efforts to unite the left formations. Vigenin also explained the BSP's position on the war in Ukraine and the Bulgarian socialists' views on its termination and diplomatic settlement. "I would very much like in the near future China's relations with the European Union to be relations of cooperation, not of rivalry, we all have an interest in that," the head of the Bulgarian Socialists' delegation in the European Parliament stressed.

Chen Zhou paid special attention to the scientific developments of the Chinese side regarding the future of socialism with Chinese specificity. In view of the BSP's work on the new political program, the Bulgarian side expressed interest in establishing cooperation with the BSP's National Political Institute in order to have an exchange of ideas not only with the European partners, but also to get acquainted with the new ideas of the Chinese scholars.

BSP floor leader Borislav Gutsanov drew attention to the opportunities in terms of Chinese investments in the construction of infrastructure projects in Bulgaria and the untapped potential in the economic ties with China.

The two sides agreed to strengthen the political dialogue between the two parties and to build a lasting partnership through youth and women's organizations as well as at regional level.