Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (R) meets with Iceland's Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson (L) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with visiting Iceland's Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson on Thursday in Beijing.
Noting that China and Iceland both have a spirit of independence and self-determination and adhere to development paths that are in line with their own characteristics, Wang said the two countries respect each other and treat each other as equals, and have set a good example of countries, big and small, cooperating amicably, which is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples.
Bilateral ties have developed rapidly and steadily in recent years with fruitful pragmatic cooperation and deeply-rooted friendship, and the Chinese side appreciates Iceland's pioneering and innovative spirit in improving its relations with China, said Wang.
He added that China is willing to continue deepening understanding and mutual trust with Iceland, and seek synergy with Iceland's development strategies, so as to score higher levels of complementary advantages and win-win cooperation.
Thordarson said Iceland and China hold the same position on many international issues. He thanked China for its help during Iceland's financial crisis.
Iceland is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in areas including economy, trade, tourism, geothermal, Arctic affairs and climate change to achieve common development, he said.
Later Thursday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held talks with Thordarson.
The Nordic country says it’s determined to build up trade and economic ties with China. Iceland is the first western European country to recognize China's market economy. It's the first country in Europe to agree on a local currency swap deal with China, as well as a free trade agreement. The Chinese foreign minister says the bilateral cooperation and exchanges are of great significance for multilateralism and an open world economy.
The two countries will also work together in other areas like human rights, geothermal energy utilization and environmental issues. Next year, Iceland assumes the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, of which China is an observer state. The Iceland's foreign minister hopes both sides will spearhead Arctic cooperation, including scientific research and the "Silk Road on Ice," which aims to open new shipping routes through the Arctic.
