“I would encapsulate the world situation in 2016 in two words – ‘volatility and ‘turbulence. We are seeing a more volatile and turbulent world， one of greater uncertainty and instability which the international community finds deeply unsettling. On the other hand， we must also recognize that this is the unavoidable result of the realignment and transformation of international architecture. It brings about not just new challenges， but also new opportunities.

“For Chinas diplomacy， 2016 can be summed up as an important year in which China has blazed new paths and made new progress. Facing the complex and fast-changing international situation， under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core， and guided by the foreign policy it sets out， we have forged ahead and overcome various difficulties. We have secured a sound external environment conducive to Chinas development amidst the grim world situation， and elevated Chinas standing， influence， and institutional rights in the changing international system. In 2016， China is more proactive， more enterprising， more confident and more mature in the diplomatic arena. It has made steady progress in developing a distinctive diplomatic approach befitting Chinas role as a major country with a series of important achievements that have made the Chinese people proud and also won international admiration.”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made these remarks on December 3， 2016 in his speech delivered at the opening of the Symposium on International Developments and Chinas Diplomacy in 2016.

“China and Iceland officially established diplomatic relations on December 8， 1971. In the past 45 years， our relationship has been stable and fruitful. Bilateral trade， two-way investments， the number of tourists， and overseas students have been increasing dramatically.

“In the past 45 years， there have been many touching stories， which are reflected in many books and photos... From these books and photos， we can learn how the first Icelandic cultural delegation visited China and the people-topeople and cultural exchanges deepened. We can also learn how the leaders of both countries dedicated themselves to China-Iceland friendship， enhancing mutual political trust， guiding the direction of their bilateral relationship， and promoting cooperation in agriculture， fisheries， geothermal energy， and Arctic affairs.”

Chinese Ambassador to Iceland Zhang Weidong made these comments at the reception marking the 45th anniversary of China-Iceland diplomatic relations on December 12， 2016.