PLOVDIV, Bulgaria, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Contracts on the funding of two Chinese-Bulgarian research projects on the Internet of Things (IoT) and agriculture were signed here on Wednesday under the bilateral scientific and technological cooperation program.

University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski" and North China University of Science and Technology will carry out the first project entitled "Development of a generic multi-service cloud-based IoT operational platform (EMULSION)."

Meanwhile, the Agricultural University Plovdiv and Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute will conduct "Research on sustainable pest and disease management in apple orchards in Bulgaria and China based on precision ecological control methods."

"Bulgaria is an important partner of China, and plays an active role in promoting scientific-technological cooperation both bilaterally and within the framework of cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries ," said China's Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun at the signing ceremony.

"There is a great potential for further and sustainable cooperation in science, technology and innovation between our two countries," Dong noted, adding that the two countries could carry out further joint research projects and strengthen exchanges of scientists, especially young talents.

Karina Angelieva, deputy minister of education and science of Bulgaria, said that science, technology and innovation are particularly important elements of bilateral relations.

China sets a good example for investment in science and innovation, Angelieva said.