The Director of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, Ms. Tanya Mihaylova, and the Head of the Chinese Studies Unit at the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, Dr. Valentin Katrandzhiev, held an expert meeting with a four-member delegation from the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), headed by its Vice President, Mr. Liu Feitao.

The discussion provided an opportunity to review the current state and prospects of Bulgaria–China relations. The contribution of think tanks from both countries to the development of bilateral political and expert dialogue was highlighted. Bilateral relations were also discussed in the context of the complex dynamics of EU–China relations and China’s cooperation initiative with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The Chinese delegation is visiting Bulgaria in connection with its participation in the upcoming conference on 23 June this year, which will mark the relaunch of the work of the Global Partnership Center within the framework of the China–Central and Eastern European Countries (China–CEEC) 14+1 Cooperation Initiative: the “Agenda of the 2026 China–CEEC Global Partnership Center Conference and ‘China–CEEC Cooperation in the New Era’ Symposium”.

The leading Bulgarian partner in the Global Partnership Center is the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”