Daniel Mihaylov Bratanov, vice rector of the University of Ruse, led an educational delegation to Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on April 21. Zhao Gang, vice president of BFSU, received the visiting delegation.
Zhao provided an overview of BFSU’s institutional development, academic departments, faculty initiatives, and Confucius Institute programs. He highlighted the deep historical ties between China and Bulgaria, noting that BFSU’s collaboration with Bulgarian universities including Sofia University and the University of Ruse has yielded substantial results in language instruction and Confucius Institute development. The timing of this visit is particularly significant, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute in Sofia and the 10th anniversary of the Confucius Classroom at the University of Ruse. Zhao expressed appreciation for the sustained commitment of Sofia University and other Bulgarian institutions to Chinese language education and their role in fostering civilizational dialogue while cultivating future generations of Chinese language professionals.
Bratanov noted that decades of support from the Chinese government and BFSU have continuously improved student proficiency in Chinese, with increasing numbers of Bulgarian primary and secondary school students now studying Chinese language and culture. He emphasized the critical role the Confucius Institute and Confucius Classrooms have played in advancing Chinese language learning and cultural dissemination throughout Bulgaria. He expressed hope for expanded cooperation with BFSU in talent development and academic program development, while strengthening educational exchanges between faculty and students.
The two sides engaged in substantive discussions during the exchange, exploring opportunities for deeper collaboration and academic cooperation. The delegation included representatives from Sofia University, Trakia University of Stara Zagora, Sofia No. 138 School, Montana Foreign Language High School, and Plovdiv Computer Science Vocational High School, joined by officials from BFSU’s various departments.
