24.06.2026
The conference “China–CEEC Cooperation in the New Era” was officially opened at the East Plaza Hotel in Sofia. The event was organized by the leadership of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration in cooperation with the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) within the framework of the China–CEEC Global Partnership Center (GPC). During the event, it was officially announced that Sofia University, through its Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA), would become the European co-chair of the Global Partnership Center.
The conference was attended by Sofia University Vice-Rector Prof. Reneta Bozhankova, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev, H.E. Ms. Dai Qingli, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Yordan Stankov, Executive Director of DMT Prime, as well as representatives of Bulgarian institutions, academia, expert organizations, business circles, and international partners. They gathered to exchange views on the future of cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the context of current global, regional, and economic developments.
H.E. Ms. Dai Qingli, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, noted that Bulgaria is an active partner in China–CEEC Cooperation. She expressed confidence that under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev, cooperation between the two institutions would deepen and develop further, yielding new results. The Ambassador also noted that new meetings within the framework of China–CEEC Cooperation are forthcoming, focusing on artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and other topics.
She further emphasized that China sees Bulgaria as a reliable partner and values the mutual trust and prospects for strengthening the good relations between the two countries. According to her, China’s goal is to maintain constructive dialogue and identify common interests between the two sides. Ambassador Dai Qingli wished the conference every success and expressed her hope for in-depth discussions and the further consolidation of a successful international partnership.
Prof. Reneta Bozhankova expressed her pleasure that Sofia University and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration are actively participating in the organization of this prestigious forum together with the China Institute of International Studies. In her words, in these dynamic times, the role of the academic community is more important than ever—to provide objective analyses based on real data that can inform strategic and institutional decision-making. Prof. Bozhankova outlined the key themes of the forum, including economic relations, the investment climate, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships, all of which are of strategic importance to stability and prosperity. She expressed confidence that the exchange of expertise and experience among researchers from Bulgaria, China, and Central and Eastern Europe would help outline sustainable models of cooperation for the future.
The Vice-Rector emphasized the significant research capacity of Sofia University’s Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, thanks to which the university has systematically strengthened its role as a leading center of international standing. Prof. Bozhankova also expressed her gratitude to the event’s organizing committee for its work in preparing the academic forum, to the partner institutions, and to all participants for their contribution to the day’s discussion. She wished everyone productive work, engaging discussions, and success in shaping new avenues of research.
Participants also had the opportunity to hear a video greeting from Chen Guoyou, Special Representative of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev read congratulatory addresses received from Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hristo Polendakov and Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov.
During the event, it was officially announced that Sofia University, through its Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, would become the European co-chair of the Global Partnership Center. Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev noted that this was a great honor for the faculty and that it was assuming responsibility not only for preserving the existing partnership but also for contributing new organizational capacity. He outlined the steps that had led to this important moment and pointed out that the path had been more challenging than expected.
According to him, over the years Sofia University and the Center for Chinese Economy and Policy, based at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and headed by Prof. Georgi Chobanov, D.Sc. (Economics), have carried out active academic exchange, highly successful cooperation between Bulgarian and Chinese universities, summer schools, joint research publications, and academic conferences, while also building trust and institutional legitimacy—particularly important and valued in times of uncertainty.
Assoc. Prof. Georgiev stressed that this made Sofia University a completely natural choice for European co-chair of the Global Partnership Center. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the China Institute of International Studies for the good relations and trust, to the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, to the Bulgarian institutions involved in this initiative, and to all colleagues and partners who had contributed to this success.
The conference continued with two thematic sessions devoted to China and Europe in the context of global change, and to the opportunities and challenges facing cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
