On October 29, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir in Beijing.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Iceland. Iceland has always been a pioneer in developing relations with China. At the early stage of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Iceland explicitly supported the restoration of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations, and was the first European country to sign a bilateral free trade agreement and a bilateral currency swap agreement with China. These are of great significance in the history of bilateral relations and China-Europe relations, and have also set an example for China-Europe exchanges. Last year, President Xi Jinping met with President Halla Tómasdóttir, which injected important impetus into the development of bilateral relations. The two sides should ensure the success of activities marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance experience, and continuously push bilateral relations to new levels.

Wang Yi said that the successful experience of developing China-Iceland relations is adhering to the equality of all countries, large and small, respecting each other’s independently chosen development paths, and achieving win-win cooperation on the basis of mutual trust. China appreciates Iceland’s consistent adherence to the one-China policy. The two sides should continue to consolidate friendship and mutual trust and support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests. The Chinese market is huge, and China will continue to adhere to high-level opening up. China is ready to share development opportunities with Iceland, tap cooperation potential, strengthen cooperation in economy and trade, geothermal energy, green transition, oceans, the Arctic and other fields, enhance exchanges in tourism, joint scientific research, talent training and other aspects, and vigorously promote people-to-people connectivity between the two countries. In the face of the current turbulent international situation, the two sides should strengthen coordination, jointly uphold multilateralism, international rule of law and the central role of the United Nations in international affairs, promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and make new contributions to safeguarding world peace and stability.

Wang Yi also briefed the Icelandic side on the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, stating that to govern the country, the Party must first govern itself, and it must do so with strict discipline. Only by persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance can the Party always win the support of the people, maintain its advanced nature and integrity, and stand at the forefront of the times. He expressed the hope that every country can find a development path suited to its national conditions and supported by its people.

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir congratulated the Communist Party of China on convening the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee, saying that China’s success is also of great significance to the world. Iceland has always harbored friendly feelings toward China. The ideas in President Xi Jinping’s works on governance are deeply inspiring, especially the people-centered governance philosophy. Iceland admires China’s tremendous development achievements, attaches great importance to Iceland-China relations, understands and respects China’s position of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will continue to abide by the one-China policy. She thanked China for its valuable support for Iceland in safeguarding its core interests such as fisheries. Both Iceland and China have open economies. Since the signing of the free trade agreement in 2013, bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results. The successful launch of direct flights between the two countries will further promote personnel exchanges. Iceland is ready to work with China to actively promote the upgrading of the free trade agreement and continuously deepen and expand cooperation in fields such as economy and trade, fisheries, geothermal energy, green energy, and Arctic affairs. Currently, international law and multilateralism are facing challenges, and free trade is facing headwinds. Iceland is ready to strengthen coordination with China, uphold international rule of law, free trade and multilateral mechanisms, and jointly respond to global challenges.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.