Meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Iceland and China

Matters such as the bilateral relations between Iceland and China, bilateral cooperation opportunities, climate change and the importance of international cooperation were the main topics of discussion at the video-call between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation, H.E. Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People´s Republic of China,  H.E. Wang Yi, yesterday.

The meeting marked the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Iceland and the People´s Republic of China.

At their meeting H.E. Thórdís Kolbrún and H.E. Wang, discussed relations between Iceland and China, including the growing relationship between the countries over the past year through trade and cooperation in various fields, as well as opportunities for continued cooperation, especially in the field of environment and renewable energy.

"There are a number of opportunities for greater cooperation between Iceland and China, not least in the field of climate mitigation and renewable energy," said H.E. Thórdís Kolbrún. "Cooperation between the countries in geothermal energy utilisation and carbon capturing can have a significant impact in combating global climate change. Enhanced bilateral and international cooperation can play a key significance in that fight." The Minister also said that it is important to look at how to utilize the countries' free trade agreement (FTA) in the most effective way, as Iceland-China trade has increased significantly since the FTA came into effect in 2013.

The Ministers also discussed the possibility of direct flights between the countries when circumstances arise again. Over one hundred thousand Chinese tourists arrived annually in Iceland prior to the pandemic outbreak. The importance of international cooperation, the implementation of UN Global Goals and respect for human rights were also discussed.