Beijing, 23 December 2021 (TDI): Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister talked with Foreign Minister of Iceland Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir in a virtual meeting.
The two officials discussed the bilateral relations of the two states. Chinese Foreign Minister emphasized the close relationship between China and Iceland. He stated that the two countries are far apart and this has not reduced them from having close cooperation.
This year Iceland and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations🎉
On this occasion I had good discussions with FM Wang Yi on the bilateral relationship between 🇮🇸 and 🇨🇳 and opportunities for continued cooperation. May our good relations continue to grow stronger. pic.twitter.com/puewSyyG3m— Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir (@thordiskolbrun) December 23, 2021
Wang stressed that the two countries should carry forward the spirit of a close relationship by upholding mutual respect and trust. He said that the two countries should respect the differences of each other. They should treat each other by following the principle of equality.
He further stated that the two countries should give priority to the national interests of each other. The two countries should enhance cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits. China and Iceland should expand their cooperation to achieve win-win results.
He noted that the two countries should take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them to deepen the win-win cooperation.
Chinese Foreign Minister highlighted that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Iceland in vaccine cooperation to fight the Coronavirus pandemic. He said that the two countries will jointly oppose the politicization of the pandemic.
China and Iceland to get benefit from win-win cooperation
He highlighted that there are numerous opportunities for China and Iceland to increase their cooperation. The two countries can get benefit from each other. China can use the Icelandic technological power for its huge market while Iceland can get the benefit from the Chinese market, the biggest market in the world.
Wang pointed out that China looks forward to enhancing cooperation in the fields of the digital economy, green development, agriculture development, and in the information department. He stated that China welcomes Icelandic companies to China with open hear. Chinese doors are always opened for Icelandic enterprises. He hoped that the Icelandic government will also provide fair opportunities to invest in Iceland to the Chinese companies.
Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir emphasized the close relations of China and Iceland. She highlighted the two countries have strengthened their relations by deepening mutual trust in each other since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Gylfadottir pointed out that Iceland is the first western country to acknowledge China’s market economy status. Iceland is also the first country in Europe to sign a free trade agreement with China. She stated that Iceland looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in the fields of trade, tourism, and climate change in the spirit of mutual respect.
Gylfadottir congratulated China for hosting the upcoming Beijing Olympics. She expressed her best wishes to China for the success of the Olympics. She stated the Icelandic athletes will participate in Beijing Olympics with high spirits.
The countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Chinese Foreign Minister stressed to deepen the bilateral cooperation in his meeting with the Icelandic counterpart. Iceland looks forward to becoming part of the Global Development Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
