On September 9, 2026, Dai Qingli, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Bulgaria, traveled to Plovdiv to attend the completion ceremony of an expansion project invested by a Chinese enterprise. Among those present were Rumen Radev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria; Atanas Pekanov, Deputy Prime Minister; Ekaterina Petrova, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Asena Ivkova, Minister of Health; Plamen Yanev, Governor of Plovdiv Province; Georgi Dimitrov, Mayor of Plovdiv; Song Huiqin, Economic Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria; and representatives of enterprises from both countries.

Prime Minister Radev stated that the expanded investment by Chinese enterprises demonstrates trust in Bulgaria, reflects the deepening friendly relations between the two countries, and serves as evidence that the Bulgaria-China strategic partnership established in 2019 is becoming a reality. Bulgaria is capable of providing favorable conditions for investment by Chinese enterprises, and welcomes Chinese companies to enter the European market via Bulgaria to achieve greater development.

Ambassador Dai commended the Bulgarian government's proactive efforts to strengthen cooperation with China, noting that the full implementation of China's 15th Five-Year Plan has opened up new opportunities for practical economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. She expressed the hope that both sides would further tap into the potential for collaboration and deliver more tangible outcomes in their bilateral economic and trade ties.