BY ANDREY VELCHEV
Editor in Chief of luboslovie.bg, Bulgaria
My first impressions of China were not formed by political debates or international headlines. They were shaped by curiosity, personal encounters, and years of academic exploration. Looking back today, I realize that my interest in China has been a continuous journey—one that began long before I became a university lecturer, researcher, journalist, and author.
As a student at New Bulgarian University, I developed a strong fascination with Chinese history, philosophy, culture, and traditions. At the time, I had the honour of serving as Chairman of the Young Journalist Club, where I organized numerous public discussions, cultural events, and meetings with distinguished guests. International affairs were always among our favourite topics, and China occupied a special place in those conversations. We were eager to understand not only its remarkable economic growth but also the cultural values that had enabled one of the world’s oldest civilizations to remain influential in the modern era.
Even then, I understood something that has remained with me throughout my career: before forming an opinion about a country, we must first understand its people.
Later, I had another opportunity to broaden my perspective while working as a Public Relations Expert for NOLA 7, one of the largest spa and wellness companies in the Balkans. Among my responsibilities was organizing meetings and coordinating programmes involving international partners and university students from China who were participating in educational and professional exchange initiatives.
Those meetings became much more than professional engagements.
I spent countless hours speaking with Chinese students about our cultures, educational systems, traditions, family values, and professional aspirations. We discussed the similarities and differences between our societies, exchanged ideas about our future careers, and often discovered that we had much more in common than we initially expected.
Those conversations taught me that international cooperation begins with people. Governments may negotiate agreements, but trust is built through human relationships, mutual respect, and genuine curiosity.
These experiences naturally influenced my academic interests. My research gradually focused on political leadership, public engagement, democratic participation, and governance. During my doctoral studies in Political Science, I explored how citizens participate in political life and how responsible leadership contributes to stronger democratic institutions.
One of the books that emerged from my doctoral research became especially meaningful to me. Every chapter opened with a quotation from Confucius. I made that decision deliberately because I have always believed that his reflections on ethics, leadership, education, and public responsibility remain surprisingly relevant in the twenty-first century.
Confucius understood that good governance begins not with power but with character. He believed that societies flourish when leaders govern through wisdom, integrity, education, and personal example rather than fear or coercion. These ideas continue to inspire discussions far beyond China and remain relevant to scholars studying political leadership across different cultures.
Today, as a university lecturer in political science and national security, I continue exploring these ideas together with my students. I regularly lecture at different universities and participate in academic discussions about leadership, international relations, strategic governance, and global challenges. China frequently becomes part of these conversations.
Students are increasingly interested in understanding how different political systems respond to technological change, economic competition, demographic transformation, and global uncertainty. They ask why some countries are able to implement long-term national strategies while others struggle with political instability and short‑term decision‑ making.
China represents one of the most interesting contemporary case studies.
Regardless of differing political perspectives, it is impossible to ignore China’s extraordinary transformation over the past decades. Hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, world-class infrastructure has been developed, scientific research has accelerated, and technological innovation has become one of the country’s defining characteristics.
Today, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing are reshaping international competition. China has established itself as one of the global leaders in many of these fields, demonstrating how sustained investment in education, research, innovation, and strategic planning can produce remarkable results.
Technology has become far more than an economic advantage. It is increasingly one of the foundations of global governance.
Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital public services, smart cities, healthcare technologies, and sustainable energy are transforming how governments interact with citizens and how societies address complex global challenges. In this rapidly changing environment, international cooperation is becoming not merely desirable but essential.
Alongside my academic work, journalism has remained another important part of my professional life.
As the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Luboslovie.bg, I have always believed that journalism carries responsibilities beyond reporting daily events. Media should explain complex international developments, encourage critical thinking, and build bridges between societies rather than deepen misunderstandings.
For this reason, Luboslovie.bg regularly publishes articles, analyses, and interviews dedicated to China’s development. We closely follow Chinese achievements in science, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, education, infrastructure, environmental policy, and international cooperation. We also examine China’s growing influence within global governance and the implications of its technological leadership for Europe and the wider international community.
Our objective has never been to advocate for one political model over another. Instead, we seek to provide readers with balanced, fact-based analysis that helps them understand one of the most influential countries shaping today’s world.
I believe that journalism should encourage dialogue instead of stereotypes. The better we understand different civilizations, the stronger our international cooperation becomes.
Throughout my academic career, I have also had the opportunity to meet scholars, researchers, diplomats, students, and professionals from many countries . These experiences have reinforced my conviction that successful global governance depends upon communication, education, and mutual respect.
The challenges facing humanity today cannot be solved by any single nation.
Climate change, food security, public health, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, migration, demographic change, and sustainable development all require collective responsibility. They require countries with different histories, cultures, and political systems to work together while respecting international law and maintaining open dialogue.
China will undoubtedly remain one of the principal actors in shaping that future.
Whether discussing technological innovation, global trade, infrastructure development, education, scientific research, or international diplomacy, China’s role will continue to influence global decision-making for decades to come.
Understanding China, therefore, is not simply an academic interest. It has become an essential component of understanding contemporary international relations.
Looking back at my own journey, I realize that my first impressions of China were formed not through political theories but through personal experience—through conversations with students, academic curiosity, professional encounters, and years of studying leadership and governance.
Those experiences taught me that every civilization has something valuable to contribute to humanity.
For me, China represents far more than economic growth or technological achievement. It represents a civilization that demonstrates the importance of education, long-term vision, strategic planning, cultural continuity, and investment in knowledge.
As both an academic and a journalist, I believe that our responsibility is to continue building intellectual bridges between societies. We should encourage dialogue instead of division, understanding instead of prejudice, and cooperation instead of confrontation.
Only through mutual respect, informed public discussion, and responsible global leadership can we build a more peaceful, innovative, and sustainable international order.
That, perhaps, is the most important lesson my first impressions of China have taught me.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.