China willing to enhance practical cooperation with Iceland: official

REYKJAVIK, June 24 -- China is willing to enhance practical cooperation with Iceland and promote bilateral relationship between the two countries to a new level, a visiting senior Chinese official has said here.

Guo Jinlong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during a two-day visit to Iceland.

Guo, who wrapped up his visit on Wednesday, said China and Iceland have been developing their relationship with mutual political trust for more than 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

China attaches great importance to the relationship with Iceland and is willing to enhance cooperation in practical terms with Iceland, he said.

During his visit, Guo met with Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson.

At his meeting with Guo, Grimsson said the China-Iceland relationship has become a model of friendly relationships between countries in different regions and with different social systems as the two countries have been developing their relationship with frequent high level exchanges and fruitful achievements.

Iceland is willing to enhance cooperation with China in the fields including geothermal energy and Arctic affairs, Grimsson added.

As the first European country to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with China, Iceland attaches great importance to the relationship with China, said Gunnlaugsson.

Iceland is willing to work together with China in deepening exchanges and cooperation in the fields including trade, tourism and new energy, he added.