Bulgarian Ambassador to China H. E. Grigor Porozhanov gave a lecture on the development of the friendly relationship between China and Bulgaria at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on June 11. It was the third lecture of the ambassador lecture series to celebrate the university’s 80th anniversary.

The lecture was presided over by Lin Wenshuang, deputy dean of the School of European Languages and Cultures, BFSU.

Wang Dinghua, secretary of the Party Committee of BFSU, met with Porozhanov. Wang introduced the development of the Bulgarian major and the Bulgarian Research Center at BFSU and expressed his thanks to the Bulgarian Embassy in China for its support to the university.

Wang Dinghua meets with H. E. Grigor Porozhanov at BFSU.

H. E. Grigor Porozhanov delivers a lecture at BFSU.

Bulgaria was the second country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and the friendship between the two countries has a long history, said Wang. As the Belt and Road Initiative and the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries have made steady progress in recent years, China has paid more attention to building partnerships with countries in the region.

Wang hopes that the Bulgarian Embassy in China will continue to support the construction of the Bulgarian major and the Bulgarian Research Center at BFSU, promote the launch of a joint master’s program between BFSU and Bulgaria’s Sofia University, and increase cooperation and exchanges between BFSU and universities in Bulgaria in other preponderant disciplines and majors, he added. 

Porozhanov thanked BFSU for the invitation and congratulated the university on its 80th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of its Bulgarian major. He fully affirmed the achievements of BFSU and the School of European Languages and Cultures have made in the training of foreign language talents.

H. E. Grigor Porozhanov delivers a lecture at BFSU.

The embassy will do its utmost to help facilitate academic exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce its impact on cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries, he said.

Wang Dinghua and H. E. Grigor Porozhanov take a group photo with organizers of the lecture.

During the lecture, Porozhanov reviewed the development of the friendship between China and Bulgaria from national and civil levels, introduced the uniqueness of Bulgaria’s history and famous Bulgarians who have made important contributions for their country. He also shared details on important events in economic, cultural and educational communications between the two countries.

Porozhanov answered students’ questions about China-Bulgaria relations and Bulgaria’s foreign policies during the Q&A session.