On 22 October, Chinese Ambassador to Iceland Jin Zhijian attended and addressed the Open Day Event of the China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory (CIAO).
Ambassador Jin congratulated on the Inauguration of CIAO and express appreciation for the great support from the Icelandic government and all relavant parities. He stressed that the Arctic issue had reached far beyond the borders of Arctic countries and regions, turning into a significant global issue concerning the interests of the whole international community as well as the survival and development of the whole mankind. The exploration and understanding of the Arctic had been the priority and focus for China in its Arctic activities. As one of the major stakeholders of the Arctic affairs, China will continue to push forward Arctic Cooperation within the framework of the "Belt and Road" Initiative and under the principle of "respect, cooperation, win-win results and sustainability" in order to build a community of shared future for mankind, making more contributions to the peace, stability and sustainable development in the Arctic. China and Iceland maintained sound cooperation in the Arctic affairs, and CIAO will provide a new exchange platform for scientists from China, Iceland and other countries. It was highly expected that CIAO would play a more important role in exploring the Arctic.
Minister of Education, Science and Culture of Iceland Lilja Alfreðsdóttir pointed out that CIAO set a good example of the Arctic cooperation between countries of different sizes, and would provide more information and facilitation for the international society on research of climate change and enviroment protection. Minister Lilja Alfreðsdóttir appreciated the joint efforts of all parities to establish the obervartory. Former President, Chairman of the Arctic Assembly Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson stressed in his remarks that the Arctic had gain more and more attention for its unique location and environment. The obervatory was set up with joint efforts of all parties, and It will create conditions for cooperation among researchers from all over the world for better understanding and joint exploration of the Arctic.
Representatives from Iceland government, sceintific institutes, entreprises and communities, as well as foreign diplomats and friends attened the event. They expressed sincere congratualtions on the inauguration of CIAO, and spoke highly of the cooperation between China and Iceland in the Arctic affairs.
CIAO is co-founded by Polar Research Inistitute of China and Rannis of Iceland. It occupies an overall space of 158 hectares in Karholl, 60 kilometers from Akureyri in Norch Iceland. The open day event marks CIAO's formal openning.