REYKJAVIK, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A concert was held in Reykjavik on Saturday evening to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Iceland and honor their longstanding friendship through music.
Ahead of the concert, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, the venue for the event and a landmark in the Icelandic capital, was illuminated in red to mark the occasion.
The concert featured Chinese and Icelandic songs, including the Chinese classic "The Great Wall Ballad." Icelandic singers performed in Chinese, while artists from both countries shared the stage, drawing applause from the audience.
Footage filmed during Icelandic artists' previous visits to China was also screened throughout the concert, showcasing the country's development over the decades.
Chinese Ambassador to Iceland He Rulong said in his address that bilateral relations had developed steadily over the past 55 years, with growing political mutual trust, fruitful economic cooperation and increasingly close cultural exchanges.
He also highlighted deepening cooperation in geothermal energy, trade and tourism between the two countries.
Iceland's Minister of Education and Children Inga Saland told Xinhua that Iceland highly values its longstanding friendship with China. She said the two countries had much to learn from each other in culture, technology and trade, and expressed hope for closer exchanges and cooperation.
Jakob Frimann Magnusson, an Icelandic musician and chief organizer of the concert, told Xinhua that he has maintained close ties with China for four decades. He recalled a warm reception he received from Chinese audiences during his first performance tour in China in 1986.
He said that during his recent visit to China, he was deeply impressed by the country's transformation over the past 40 years, particularly its economic development, social stability and vibrant cultural life.
He expressed the hope that the concert would highlight the friendship between the two countries and encourage more Icelanders to learn about China and visit the country themselves. ■
