PM Borissov: I hope we raise our relations with China at a higher level

Bulgaria highly values the relations with the People's Republic of China. We hope for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations this year to achieve significant results in practical cooperation and to raise our relations to a new, higher level, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said during his meeting with Mr. Li Hongzhong, a member of the CCP's 19th CCP Politburo, the rank of Deputy Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Li Hongzhong is at the head of a delegation visiting Bulgaria. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Mr. Dong Xiaojun, and representatives of the governing bodies of the Chinese city of Tianjin, also took part in the talks with the Bulgarian Prime Minister.

Bulgaria’s PM Borissov welcomed the good cooperation between the two countries at governmental, parliamentary and regional level. Bulgarian Prime Minister, Li Hongzhong, and representatives of Tianjin, China, have discussed opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Bulgarian and Chinese cities.

Under your leadership, Bulgaria is developing at a rapid pace, said Li Hongzhong, who conveyed to Prime Minister Borissov the greetings of China’s President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

In the talks, Prime Minister Borissov pointed out that our country supports the "17 + 1" and "One Belt, One Way" initiatives. "We want them to lead to practical results by building energy and infrastructure projects in Bulgaria with Chinese investments and participating in compliance with EU principles and norms on a market principle without state guarantees," the PM also said. Borissov added that the appropriate forms are concessions, public-private partnership, the establishment of mixed project companies.

During the meeting, the Bulgarian Prime Minister also spoke about the results of the Seventh Summit "16 + 1" held in Sofia in 2018, which contributed to enriching the relations between the EU and China. It was at the forum that the decision was made to create a Global Partnership Center "16 + 1", which in April this year. was symbolically opened in Dubrovnik during the eighth Summit, but now called "17 + 1", as Greece joined the format. Last year, Sofia also hosted the "16 + 1" Local Leaders Meeting.

Chinese companies can also invest in setting up enterprises in Bulgaria with modern technologies, production of innovative products promoting the growth of green economy, Prime Minister Borissov added to the Chinese delegation and summarised that Bulgaria offers exceptional investment opportunities.

Last, but not least, we rely on further support from our Chinese friends to increase the travel of Chinese tourists in Bulgaria, as well as to increase exchanges in education, culture, science and youth contacts, Borissov noted.