At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road, a three-member delegation led by Wang Yanxia, Senior Councilor of the BPAFFC, visited Bulgaria from September 23 to 27, 2025. During the five-day visit, they attended the China-Bulgaria Conference on Urban and Regional Cooperation co-organized by the CPAFFC, the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, the Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road, and the Association of Bulgarian Cities and Regions. They also participated in the Balkan-China Silk Road Economic Forum organized by the Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber for Industrial Development. The delegation held talks with the China-Bulgaria Friendship Association and Lozenets District in Sofia, Bulgaria, and visited the Institute of Ornamental and Medicinal Plants (IOMP) – Sofia, a part of the Agricultural Academy in Bulgaria, where they discussed various topics such as people-to-people exchanges and potential cooperation in the rose industry.
On September 24, the delegation attended the China-Bulgaria Conference on Urban and Regional Cooperation in Sofia, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of a cooperation document on the Belt and Road Initiative between the two countries. The conference attracted more than 130 attendees, including leaders from 12 provinces and cities in China and more than 40 cities in Bulgaria. Wang Yanxia delivered a keynote speech titled Culture-Rich Beijing, City of Charm at the Urban Salon. Her speech presented Beijing’s image and cooperation needs by showcasing the city as a place rich in cultural heritage, a vibrant city in technological innovation, a livable metropolis committed to green and sustainable development, an open and inclusive center for international exchanges, and a demonstration center for practical cooperation. She also emphasized the importance of building bridges between China and Bulgaria through people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural interactions, and youth friendship, aiming to garner public support for the China-Bulgaria community of shared future.
On September 25, the delegation took part in the Balkan-China Silk Road Economic Forum held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Addressing the Business Culture & Chinese Etiquette panel, Wang Yanxia elaborated on Beijing’s initiatives to establish its government services as a national benchmark of excellence and a world-class model, and extended a warm invitation to businesses in the Balkans. Yu Bin, Deputy Director of the Mentougong District Forestry and Parks Bureau of Beijing Municipality, introduced the situation of Mentougong District and its progress in the rose industry. He also communicated with Dolinata na Rozite (Valley of the Roses) and other organizations in Bulgaria.
During the visit, the delegation engaged in a series of productive work meetings. They met with Bistra Goleva, deputy district mayor of Lozenets, and the two sides reached preliminary consensus on establishing a twin town relationship with Mentougong District and promoting exchanges between the two districts in multiple areas. The delegation communicated with Iskra Dumkova, Secretary-General of the Bulgaria-China Friendship Association, on cooperation opportunities in culture, arts, youth exchanges, and the rose industry. Additionally, the delegation held in-depth discussions with the IOMP on rose cultivation and deep processing technologies in particular, laying the groundwork for industrial cooperation between Mentougou District and the Bulgarian side.
Tsetska Tsacheva, President of the Bulgarian National Assembly, met with the Chinese representatives, including delegation leader Wang Yanxia. The delegation also attended a pre-meeting hosted by the Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road, where they had a friendly exchange with its President Zahari Mihaylov Zahariev. Additionally, the delegation paid a courtesy call to the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria. Ambassador Dai Qingli gave an overview of the situation in Bulgaria and expressed hopes for Beijing and Bulgaria to play more significant roles in such areas as artificial intelligence, greening and beautification, the rose industry, and people-to-people exchanges.
The BPAFFC’s first visit to Bulgaria expanded the channels of engagement with friendship organizations and local governments in Bulgaria, paving the way for Mentougou District to establish a twin town relationship and promote cooperation in the rose industry. Moving forward, the BPAFFC will continue to serve as a bridge and make use of the outcomes of this visit to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges and the bond between China and Bulgaria.
