Discussion on the Development of the Chinese Economy and Opportunities for Partnership between Bulgaria and China was Held at Our University

The UNWE in cooperation with the China Media Group /CMG/ organized a discussion on the Development of the Chinese Economy and Modernization and Its Significance for the Global Economic Cooperation. Examples of Good Practices and Opportunities for Partnership between Bulgaria and China.

The Vice-Rector for International Affairs Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov opened the event. He greeted the attendees and emphasized: "This discussion is extremely important and will be very useful because we will talk about the development of the Chinese economy and modernization, its global significance and economic cooperation. We will discuss good practices in business as well as in higher and the secondary education. China is an evidence of how the digital transformation can radically change all areas of activity – economic, educational, social".

изучаване на китайски език като чужд, с което УНСС успешно си сътрудничи.

At the opening of the Forum fourth-grade students from Evlogy and Hristo Georgievy Private Secondary School addressed to participants a musical greeting, performing a song in Chinese. The Private School is the only one in Bulgaria providing intensive Chinese language courses and the UNWE successfully cooperates with it.

In a video address the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov greeted the participants in the Forum. ‘Following the global strategy “One Belt, One Road”, for more than 10 years we have witnessed the massive development and opening up of China, including infrastructure development and investments in about 70 countries and international organizations,’ said Prof. Dimitrov, emphasizing: "This year we celebrate 10 years since Bulgaria joined the initiative in 2015. Our country is an important hub for cooperation in the Balkans. This has helped to deepen the cooperation in the economy, trade, culture, education, science and technology, and has enriched our strategic partnership. Statistics show that over the past 10 years, our two-way trade has doubled and exceeds 4 billion. China is currently Bulgaria's third largest trading partner outside the EU. Cumulative Chinese investment in Bulgaria exceeds 600 million dollars, and direct investment exceeds 200 thousand. Citing these impressive results, I am proud to say that our university was the first to start cooperation with China in the field of higher education, which we will tell you about during the discussion.”

In a video message the Director of the Bulgarian Editorial Office of CMG Mrs. Xia Fanglei also welcomed the attendees. She greeted the UNWE on the occasion of its 105th Anniversary and emphasized its key importance as the largest, oldest and most prestigious economic university not only in Bulgaria but also in Southeast Europe for preparing highly qualified specialists in all areas of socio-economic life, which is a major contribution to the development of Bulgaria. "I am convinced that the University of National and World Economy will continue to pursue its priorities and prospects over the next 105 years. I hope that the UNWE will have fruitful and comprehensive cooperation with Chinese universities, thus contributing to the friendship between our two countries", said Mrs. Xia Fanlei.

Iveta Balevska from the CMG presented the activities and media of the company.

"It is my pleasure to participate in today's discussion on a topic of utmost importance for the future of the global economy and the prosperity of Bulgaria, the development of the Chinese economy, and the opportunities for partnership between Bulgaria and China. In just a few decades, China has undergone a remarkable transformation from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented model, quickly becoming the world's second largest economy," said Maya Dimitrova, Member of the 51st National Assembly and Chair of the Bulgaria-China Friendship Group, emphasizing: “In the future, the opportunities for partnership between our two countries are endless. Sectors such as information and communication technologies, mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, electronics and tourism offer enormous potential for joint projects”.

Mrs. Wang Ming, Acting Head of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bulgaria, presented the development and rise of the Chinese economy in recent years and emphasized: "China's modernization follows the path of peaceful development and it is aimed at building a community of shared destiny for humanity. This year we also mark the 10th Anniversary of the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Bulgaria. China is ready to work with Bulgaria to take advantage of the opportunities provided by China's development and to promote comprehensive and pragmatic cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, e-commerce, finance, agriculture, healthcare, science, technology and culture. This will create an even more stable foundation for deepening the Chinese-Bulgarian friendship.

"Bulgaria has the advantage of exceptionally well-established political relations with China, having recognized the People's Republic of China since its creation and by participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. These are things that our Chinese friends do not forget, and we must take advantage of them and actively cooperate", said Michael Mikov, politician and Chairman of the 42nd National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

A Greeting Letter to the Forum was received from the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Georgy Tachov. “The traditionally good cooperation between Bulgaria and China in the field of agriculture and food is actively developing and continues to expand, based on the principles of equal partnership and mutual interest”, says Minister Tachov in his Greeting Letter, adding: “I am confident in the importance of today's discussion meeting, which will contribute to the emergence of new opportunities for partnership between Bulgaria and China”.

The event continued with presentations from the Forum programme. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov gave a presentation on the Educational Partnerships between Bulgaria and China emphasizing that the UNWE is the only Bulgarian university to have won funding for a research project in partnership with a Chinese university in the scientific field of Economics and Management. During his presentation, Prof. Dr. Daniela Fesciyan, Chairperson of the UNWE Control Council and Head of the Accounting and Analysis Department, presented the project and emphasized that it has a duration of two years and is dedicated to the development of standardized models, recognition, reporting and disclosure of the cultural heritage of Bulgaria and China. Prof. D.Sc. Pencho Penchev, Head of the Political Economy Department and Chair of the UNWE General Assembly, also participated in the discussion.

A report on the New Industrial Zone and Trade Relations with the People's Republic of China was presented by Trayko Mladenov, Mayor of Kostinbrod Municipality and a graduate of UNWE. Kostinbrod Municipality and the UNWE actively cooperate in the implementation of various initiatives of mutual interest.

In the discussion with speeches and reports took also part Dr .Momchil Stanishhev, Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Cooperation in Agriculture between China and Central and Eastern Europe, with a report on the Modernisation of Agriculture and Opportunities for Partnership between Bulgaria and China participated Vasil Todorov, Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as Assoc. Prof. Teodora Peneva from the Institute for Economic Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with the topic Modernization in China's Economic and Social Development Plan for 2025, Prof. Mladen Velev from the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Svetlin Nikolchev, owner of Rolplast Group, Evgeny Savchev, Chairman of the Business Start Agricultural Association for International Relations, Yaroslava Pekarec, Deputy Director of Evlogy and Hristo Georgievy Private School.

Representatives of companies and firms that have business relations with China also expressed their opinions on the topic during the Forum. They shared good practices and opportunities for future partnership, discussing the role of interaction between the business and the state for good cooperation between Bulgaria and China.