On July 1st, 2021, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Embassy of China in Iceland held a symposium to celebrate this special occasion. Nearly 30 friends from the political, business, and cultural circles in Iceland, as well as representatives of overseas Chinese living in Iceland, gathered together both online and offline to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the CPC.
Jin Zhijian, Chinese Ambassador to Iceland, firstly delivered a passionate speech. In his speech, Ambassador Jin pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC, in which he comprehensively summarized the past glorious century during which the CPC led the Chinese people to march from one victory to another, and announced that China has realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. General Secretary Xi's speech was very encouraging and inspiring. The past 100 years have witnessed the continuous development and growth of the CPC from a small and weak force to a large and strong one, have completely transformed the fate and future of China and the Chinese nation, and have witnessed tremendous changes in China. Looking back at the 100-year history of the CPC, we are full of pride. And looking ahead to the bright future of China, we are full of confidence. Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people will unite as one with a shared purpose and rely on their own efforts with unfailing perseverance. It is certain that, by the middle of the 21st century, the great goal of developing China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful will definitely come true. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will definitely come true, and China will make even greater contributions to the progress of mankind.
Ambassador Jin emphasized that, China has always been an advocate of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order. We are willing to expand friendly cooperation with other countries and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. This year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Iceland. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, we have continuously advanced our bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equal treatment, and seeking common ground while reserving differences. The current Sino-Icelandic relations are facing new opportunities and challenges. China is willing to work with the Icelandic side to deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote exchanges based on the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples. Moreover, China will spare no efforts to expand bilateral cooperation on major international issues such as climate change, environmental protection and the fight against COVID-19, thus adding a new chapter in the development of bilateral ties.
The participants warmly congratulated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and highly praised the marvelous achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC. Mr.Ragnar Baldursson, former minister-counselor of the Embassy of Iceland in Beijing, stated that under the leadership of the CPC, China's development has brought prosperity and wealth to its people as well as many people in other countries all over the world. On the day of celebrating the centenary of the Party, General Secretary Xi Jinping announced that China has reached its goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and entered a new era of development. China is moving towards a peaceful and prosperous future. Mr. Biggi Stefansson, chairman of the Icelandic Entrepreneurs Association in China, expressed his sincere admiration for China's rapid development and historical achievements, saying that settling in China 16 years ago was the "most correct decision" he made in his life. The CPC and the Chinese people are, working side by side, making unremitting efforts to improve the lives of the Chinese people. Under the leadership of the CPC, China is really a country of the people, by the people and for the people. Mr. Arnthor Helgason, Friendship Ambassador and former chairman of the Icelandic-Chinese Cultural Society, said that under the leadership of the CPC and after arduous struggle, the Chinese people have finally become one of the most powerful countries in the world today. He believed that, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China is bound to have a brighter and more promising future. Mr. Thorkell Arnason, chairman of the Icelandic-Chinese Cultural Society, and Ms. Hronn Magnusdottir, representative of the Iceland-China Trade Council, talked about China's tremendous changes with their own studying and working experiences in China.
The overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in Iceland also expressed their love and blessings to the CPC and China at the symposium. They said that, General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC is extremely inspiring and voices the aspirations of the overseas Chinese. During the years-long stay in Iceland, they felt deeply that the Chinese people are becoming more and more confident. The CPC puts the people in the first place, serves the people with heart and soul, and leads the Chinese people to accomplish great achievements one after another. Under the leadership of the CPC, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will definitely come true. As a member of the big family of the Chinese nation, the Icelandic overseas Chinese have always shared the same destiny with the motherland. They are full of confidence in the prospect of Sino-Icelandic relations, and are willing to contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
After the symposium, Ambassador Jin accompanied the guests to enjoy the International Exhibition of "the Centennial History of the Communist Party of China" held by the Embassy. Everyone was attracted by the vivid historical pictures and touched by the glorious journey the Party has traveled over 100 years.
