Reception marking 55th Anniversary of Iceland-China diplomatic relations held in Beijing

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir speaks at a reception at the Icelandic Embassy in Beijing marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on Oct. 27, 2026. (Photo provided by Icelandic Embassy to China)

The Icelandic Embassy in Beijing hosted a reception on Oct. 27 to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iceland and China, bringing together representatives from both sides.

Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir attended and addressed the reception. Guests present included China's Assistant Foreign Minister Cai Wei and three former Chinese ambassadors to Iceland — Wang Ronghua, Su Ge and Jin Zhijian. Gunnarsdottir noted that their presence underlined the importance of the diplomatic ties, which were established in 1971.

Over the past 55 years, the two countries have built a solid cooperative foundation. Iceland was the first European nation to conclude a free trade agreement with China, a milestone that has underpinned steady and predictable bilateral trade. The two sides have also made notable headway in geothermal energy, green transition, people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation.

In 2025, when Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir was in China for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, the two sides reached important common understandings on deepening cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, geothermal energy, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Also in October 2025, China and Iceland issued a joint statement on further strengthening cooperation on geothermal energy and green transition.

Connectivity between the two nations has gained fresh momentum. Air China launched its Beijing-Copenhagen-Reykjavik service on Oct. 26, marking the first scheduled passenger route to Iceland operated by a Chinese mainland airline. Gunnarsdottir voiced her hope that "the direct flights will bring about more people-to-people interaction; allow more Icelanders to explore the wonders of China, strengthen our business ties and bring about more collaboration in the field of green technology."

Gunnarsdottir is on a visit to China from Oct. 26 to 31. As part of the trip, she will lead a delegation of Icelandic enterprises to Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, for one of the world's largest seafood expos, seeking to expand access for premium Icelandic seafood on the Chinese market. "I hope my visit this fall with numerous Icelandic companies will have a positive effect and open new opportunities for further Icelandic exports to China," she said.