Bulgaria does not have a clear policy towards China, but the country is deepening its influence in Bulgaria
Vladimir Shopov, author, researcher and consultant, “In development”, April 15, 2022.
16:00 | April 15, 2022
Updated: 16:18 | April 15, 2022
author:
Zornitsa Krusharska
The relations between Bulgaria and China are not in the ascending phase, mainly due to the institutional helplessness that exists on the Bulgarian side. At the national level of the country there are no clearly defined and structured relations with China, but China has a certain interest and has a more active role in Bulgaria. That’s what he said Vladimir Shopov, author, researcher and consultant, in the show “In development” hosted by Delyan Petrishki.
For a long time, Bulgaria has not been an object of interest for the country in China, and the country has no formulated policy towards the state and this topic is not present in the political debate. China has tried to build high-level relations in sectors such as energy and infrastructure, but has failed. One of the reasons is our membership in the EU, but also because Bulgaria has strong local structured interests in these two sectors, including a third country such as Russia. This delayed China’s entry into our site and forced it to adapts its strategy. After seeing that the main interests and projects they had could not be tested at a high central level, the Chinese representatives began to communicate more and more with local authorities, to promote various projects, contact the so-called smart cities, activating cultural and linguistic diplomacy. Few people realize that China is quite active in a number of public procurement in municipalities. He won a lot of auctions.
“Chinese companies, seeing that they can be difficult to manage in certain sectors and projects, have agreed to be secondary partners and increasingly work in business coalitions.”
The problem for the Bulgarian local authorities is that they are extremely unprepared to work effectively, efficiently and sustainably with such a large and complex partner. This asymmetry is in some cases used by the Chinese to their advantage. There are serious examples of leakage of Bulgarian intellectual property in China, for example in the field of agricultural technology. In some places, contracts have been signed that are extremely incompetently drawn up, entirely in China’s favor, such as accepting Chinese jurisdiction to resolve disputes.
“We have a lot of homework to do so that the Bulgarian interest can be protected in this regard.”
Bulgarian policy aimed at China is information from the situational reactions to various discussions and debates that take place within the union. If you go a little deeper, you will see that in general, Bulgarian officials and the political elite have a very positive attitude towards China. On key topics of our partners and alliances, contact China, Bulgaria simply refuses to do anything. For example, with regard to the introduction of a European level for monitoring foreign investment and the acquisition of strategic activities by China in Europe, Bulgaria and two other countries, nothing has been done in this area.
The mechanism, which has only just been abolished for the so-called “Golden passports” are traditionally used by the Chinese. In addition, Bulgaria has signed a memorandum in connection with the US Clean Network initiative, but is doing almost nothing to implement it.
On the one hand, Bulgaria does not have a clearly formulated policy, but rather we react slightly chaotically of discussions, debates, initiatives that take place in the union, but very often in the end we prefer to take a very supportive position towards China.
What else can you bring out in Vladimir Shopov’s research “Thousands of contacts to flourish: How China competes for influence in Bulgaria” can watch the video.
See all guests of the show “In development” here.