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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Ossur Skarphedinsson in Beijing, capital of China, July 13, 2010. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
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BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China will expand cooperation and exchanges with Iceland as next year marks the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Vice President Xi Jinping said Tuesday.
"Despite of the vast differences in geographic and domestic situations, there's no critical confrontation of interests between the two distant states," Xi told Iceland Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
China offered assistance and support within its capability to Iceland as it was encountering the impact of global financial crisis, which "indicated the importance China attached to bilateral ties and its tradition of being a friend in need," he said.
China insisted on a principle of equality between nations, no matter big or small, and Iceland adhered to the one-China policy, Xi said.
He hailed China-Iceland cooperation and exchanges in such sectors as fisheries, geothermal energy, hydropower, finance, education, science and technology, culture and tourism.
Skarphedinsson said China was one of a few states to offer help to his country when it suffered from economic difficulties.
He appreciated China's assistance and its practice of equality in its foreign affairs, including in relations with small nations like Iceland.
"China always treats Iceland on an equal footing. Not every big country does that," Skarphedinsson said at the beginning of the one-hour meeting.
He said Iceland would enhance cooperation with China in geothermal energy and fisheries.
