Chinese vice president meets Iceland foreign minister

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with visiting Iceland Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson Thursday in Beijing.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (R) meets with Iceland's Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

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 developing 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 held talks with Thordarson.