On April 16, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi pointed out that China and Iceland both have the national spirit of perseverance and self-reliance. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 42 years ago, the two sides have forged ahead and strived to explore a path of mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different economic scales at different levels of development. Xi said the China-Iceland relationship has become a model for showcasing the friendly coexistence between nations of different sizes and social systems.

China is making its utmost efforts to fulfill its "two 100-year" goals by readjusting the economic development patterns and its industrial structures, reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment, Xi told Sigurdardottir. China's development strategy and Iceland's industrial advantages are highly complementary and there are more opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. "The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the joint declaration inked yesterday between the two nations bear great significance in pushing forward bilateral relations," Xi added. "China is willing to increase exchanges and mutual understanding with Iceland and boost bilateral cooperation in sectors such as clean and renewable energy and fisheries to achieve common development," Xi said. China will continue to back Iceland's efforts toward economic recovery, he added.

Sigurdardottir spoke highly of the achievements China has scored in its national development and expressed her appreciation for the country's support for Iceland in tackling the financial and economic crises. This enhances the friendship between the two countries and deepens Iceland's will for bilateral cooperation. The Icelandic people have forged unanimous support for the FTA deal with China and hope to step up cooperation with China in the fields of trade, energy, culture, social development and Arctic affairs, Sigurdardottir said.