Wang Yi Holds Virtual Meeting with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir

On December 22, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a virtual meeting with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir.

Wang Yi said, although China and Iceland are far apart and have different national conditions, bilateral relations of the two countries have maintained sound and steady development and accumulated valuable experience since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago. First, we should uphold mutual respect, follow the principle of equality for all countries, big or small, and treat each other's differences in an inclusive manner. Second, we should adhere to strategic independence and give priority to each other's national interests and common interests in handling bilateral relations without being influenced by any third party. Third, we should adhere to mutual benefit, leverage our economic complementarity, tap cooperation potential and expand cooperation space to achieve win-win results. Fourth, we should adhere to dialogue and consultation, enhance mutual understanding, eliminate misunderstandings and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations through equal-footed dialogue. The two sides should take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to carry forward useful experience, enhance mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation so as to make bilateral relations more mature, resilient and predictable and bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Wang Yi pointed out that China is willing to work with Iceland to fight the pandemic, strengthen cooperation in vaccine and drug research and development, and jointly oppose the politicization of the pandemic. China will combine its market strength with Iceland's technological strength, and deepen cooperation in tourism, digital economy, information and communication, agricultural science and technology, and green development. China is willing to provide convenience for Icelandic companies to invest in China, and hopes the Icelandic side to adhere to the market economy principle and continue to provide a fair business environment for Chinese companies to invest in Iceland. China appreciates Iceland's open attitude towards China's participation in Arctic affairs and will maintain close communication and cooperation with Iceland in this regard. He wishes the Icelandic athletes great success in the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. Both sides should strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, uphold true multilateralism and support the central role of the UN. China welcomes Iceland to join the Global Development Initiative, which will create a strong synergy for the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Gylfadottir said, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Iceland and China 50 years ago, bilateral relations have developed well and bilateral cooperation has made remarkable achievements. Iceland is the first western European country to recognize China's market economy status and the first in Europe to sign a free trade agreement with China, of which we feel proud. The Icelandic side thanks China for its support in fighting the pandemic, and would like to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to further deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism, the Arctic, sustainable development and climate change in the spirit of mutual respect. She congratulated on the smooth progress of preparations for the Beijing Olympic Winter Games and expressed confidence that China will host a successful Olympic Winter Games. The world should carry forward the Olympic spirit, and the Icelandic side will actively participate in the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. Iceland appreciates the Global Development Initiative proposed by China and is willing to increase its contribution to global development cooperation.

The two sides agreed to conclude a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in aquatic products and the environment as soon as possible and expand bilateral geothermal cooperation through the mechanism of the geothermal working group.