On February 14, the Northern Lights Confucius Institute of the University of Iceland held a celebration of the 2026 Chinese New Year. Ambassador He Rulong and his wife were invited to attend the event, in addition to Ms. Ólöf Garðarsdóttir, dean and representative of the University of Iceland, Icelandic dean of the Northern Lights Confucius Institute Magnús Björnsson, Chinese dean of the Northern Lights Confucius Institute Xu Saiying and hundreds of Icelanders from all walks of life. Counsellor Dai Ke attended the event.

Ambassador He extended, in his remarks, sincere greetings of the Chinese New Year of the Horse to all guests and expressed gratitude to the Confucius Institute, the Association of Chinese in Iceland and the Icelandic Chinese Cultural Society for their meticulous arrangements for the event. He pointed out that culture serves as a bridge to mutual understandings, and it was gratifying to see so many Icelanders are learning the Chinese languages and culture. It was hoped that, with the direct flight between China and Iceland, mutual understandings and friendship between China and Iceland will be increased, and economic cooperation and trade as well as cultural exchanges will be further promoted.

 The event was immersed in a warm and joyful atmosphere. Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute performed traditional Chinese dragon dances and sang Chinese songs. Attendees enthusiastically participated in calligraphy, paper cutting, Guzheng, Touhu, Jianzi kicking, and tasted Chinese snacks, immersing themselves profoundly in the Chinese culture.