STORY: BRI applauded by scholars, officials for boosting China-CEEC cooperation
DATELINE: Sept. 17, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:07
LOCATION: Sofia
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the conference
2. STANDUP (English): LI CHAO, Xinhua correspondent
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Bulgarian): ZAHARI ZAHARIEV, Chairman of Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DIMITRIS KONSTANTAKOPOULOS, Former adviser to Greek prime minister
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): TUGRUL VELI, President of Eurasian Initiative and Cooperation Association
6. various of BRI projects

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): LI CHAO, Xinhua correspondent
"Scholars and government officials said at a two-day international conference in Sofia, Bulgaria that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been significantly contributing to economic ties between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC).
They say the China-CEEC cooperation could bring confidence to the world, and the BRI will also promote the process of globalization."

SOUNDBITE 1 (Bulgarian): ZAHARI ZAHARIEV, Chairman of Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road
"I am deeply convinced that the good start in the past 10 years is also a guarantee that this project will strengthen itself more and more in all aspects between China, and respectively on the one hand Europe in a broader plan, and on the other hand, of course, the Central and Eastern European Countries. A guarantee for this is what has been achieved in these 10 years, both in terms of Chinese investments in individual European countries, and of course in terms of very large infrastructure projects that affect the overall future of the European economy."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DIMITRIS KONSTANTAKOPOULOS, Former adviser to Greek prime minister
"I have to say that now China somehow not only for Europe but especially for the South is the main investor, is the main force, which is investing in productive ways."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): TUGRUL VELI, President of Eurasian Initiative and Cooperation Association
"In fact, this project is a project to win together.
Most importantly, I believe that Eastern Europe and the Balkan countries will gain serious momentum in ensuring peace, prosperity and tranquility in the region. I think that the Balkan countries will also benefit from this project if the right moves are made at the right time."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sofia.
(XHTV)