Follow-Up: Wang Yi Holds Talks With Icelandic Foreign Minister Gunnarsdottir in Beijing: The Two Sides Will Actively Advance Free Trade Agreement Upgrade
BEIJING — On October 29, 2026, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and China's foreign minister, held talks in Beijing with Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, who is visiting China from October 26 to 31. The talks came as China and Iceland mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Wang Yi said Iceland has been a frontrunner in developing relations with China: when the two countries established diplomatic ties, Iceland made clear its support for restoring China's lawful seat in the United Nations, and it was the first European country to sign a bilateral free trade agreement and a currency swap agreement with China. "China appreciates that Iceland has always adhered to the one-China policy, and the two sides should continue to consolidate friendship and mutual trust and support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests," Wang said.
Wang said China's market is huge and the country will continue its high-level opening up, and that China is ready to share development opportunities with Iceland and deepen cooperation in trade and economy, geothermal energy, green transition, oceans and Arctic affairs, while expanding exchanges in tourism, joint research and talent training. He also briefed the Icelandic side on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
Gunnarsdottir congratulated China on the plenary session and said Iceland attaches great importance to its relations with China, understands and respects China's position on safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and "will continue to honor the one-China policy." She said the successful launch of direct flights between the two countries will further promote people-to-people exchanges, and that "Iceland is ready to work with China to actively advance the upgrade of the free trade agreement and continuously deepen and expand cooperation in trade and economy, fisheries, geothermal energy, green energy and Arctic affairs."
Iceland was the first European country to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with China, which took effect in 2014. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, October 29, 2026.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：2026年10月29日，外交部长王毅在北京同冰岛外交部长贡纳尔斯多蒂尔举行会谈前握手。照片：中国外交部。Photo: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shakes hands with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir before their talks in Beijing on October 29, 2026. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
- 2026-10-26Icelandic Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir to Visit China from October 26 to 31 as China and Iceland Mark 55 Years of Diplomatic Relations
- 2026-10-29Follow-Up: Wang Yi Holds Talks With Icelandic Foreign Minister Gunnarsdottir in Beijing: The Two Sides Will Actively Advance Free Trade Agreement UpgradeThis story
