On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Confucius Institute, the 9th International Scientific Conference on Diplomatic, Economic and Cultural Relations between China and the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe was officially opened on 14 October 2022. Representatives of numerous state and educational institutions and units attended to congratulate the Institute's management and staff, and expressed their wishes in congratulatory addresses. The representatives were from the following institutions: the Presidency of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, the National Branch Union – “Higher Education and Science” – KNSB, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bulgaria; the Chinese International Education Foundation, Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, Targovishte Municipality, Burgas Municipality, etc., as well as the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Southwest University, Shumen University, Confucius Institute in Sofia, etc. The purpose of the forum is to discuss the current status and prospects for the development of political, economic, cultural and other areas of cooperation and exchange between China and the CEE countries within the framework of the One Belt, One Road initiative and the 17+1 framework for regional cooperation; to promote educational and cultural exchanges between China and the CEE countries, especially Bulgaria, and to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Bulgarian scholars. Dozens of papers were presented at the conference by researchers from various universities and educational institutions in China, Bulgaria and Malaysia. During the two-day forum, more than 30 experts and scholars shared the results of their latest research and more than 100 people participated in in-depth discussions on the topics covered.
At the opening ceremony of the event the Deputy Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo – Mr. Neyko Genchev, awarded the Confucius Institute at the University of Veliko Tarnovo with the “Old Capital Certificate” and the “Golden Perpera of Tsar Ivan Asen II” on behalf of the Municipal Government in recognition of the merits of the Institute and its significant role in the educational sphere, in the cultural and social life of Veliko Tarnovo and the cultural exchange between China and Bulgaria.