7月23日，《冰岛时代》杂志以《国不同，心相通》为题刊登对何儒龙大使专访，重点介绍中冰两国在文化旅游、北极事务、地热能源、文明互鉴等领域合作情况。

专访以冰岛语、英文、中文三种语言刊发。

国不同，心相通

何儒龙先生自2022年2月起出任中华人民共和国驻冰岛大使。时光流转，时间已过去两年半，何大使和他的家人已在这个遥远的国度心有所归、乐土安居。尽管中国与冰岛在地理、文化、历史等诸多方面存在着显著的差异，但何大使坚信，两国之间相互学习、相互借鉴的潜力巨大。令人称奇的是，两国首都的距离相隔恰好等于7777公里，这一巧合在何大使眼中，不仅代表着一个吉祥的数字，更是象征着两国友好关系的源远流长。

何大使回忆说：“我第一次踏上冰岛这片土地是在二十年前，也就是2004年，那次我是随中国代表团来访、在这里只停留了短短三个晚上。然而，这个国家以及它美丽的自然风光，给我留下了深刻印象，它们与中国是如此的不同。”“当我在2022年2月获悉自己被任命为驻冰岛大使时，我和我的妻子都非常激动。我的妻子曾在2003年来过冰岛，对这片土地有着美好的记忆。在英国求学期间，她还有幸与一位冰岛室友共处，从而对冰岛有了更深入的了解。如今，我们全家都工作、生活在这里，我们都非常喜欢这里。”

冰岛，中国游客的新宠

何大使告诉我们，冰岛在中国人的眼中是一个非常特别的国家。这不仅是因为该国是北大西洋中的一个岛国、与中国相隔遥远，更是因为近年来在冰岛取景的好莱坞大片中那些令人震撼的自然风光。这些美景，以及其他诸多因素，大大激发了中国人对冰岛的兴趣，冰岛日益成为中国游客的热门旅游目的地。

2023和2024年，冰岛跻身中国游客最向往的旅游目的前十国家之列，这有点出乎人们所料。“这也是为什么当下在雷克雅未克的街头和冰岛各地，你都可以看到很多中国游客的原因，”他补充道。

当谈到中国和冰岛两国的显著差异时，何大使指出，中国的东部沿海地区人口密集、植被繁茂，这与冰岛的自然景观截然不同。“然而，我曾亲身踏访过冰岛的中央高地，那里连绵的山脉和独特的自然景观深深吸引了我。同样，在中国西北部，我们也能找到类似的地貌特征以及同样引人入胜的自然景致。”

开通中冰直航，促进双边联系

随着中国游客对冰岛这一旅游目的地兴趣的日益浓厚，人们翘首以待中国和冰岛开通直飞航班。这无疑也是大使最为关注的一个重要事项。

“如你所知，经过精确计算，中国首都与冰岛首都之间的距离恰好是7777公里。四个七，这是一个非常吉利的数字，”大使微笑着补充道。“虽然两国相距遥远，目前的交通也不很便捷，人们需要通过欧洲大陆第三国的机场转机。但我们可以看到，一旦两国之间开通了直飞航班，我们在商业、人员流动以及双向旅游等方面的联系将会更加紧密。这将有助于增进我们双方的相互了解和信任，进而促进双边关系的发展。”

大使补充道，自从他履职以来，他的首要任务之一、甚至可以说是最重要的优先事项，就是推动中冰两国之间开通直飞航班。他认为，开通直飞航班对于两国关系的深化具有至关重要的意义。他表示：“我正全力以赴，与中方及冰岛的政府和企业界紧密合作，共同推动实现这一宏伟目标。目前，我们已取得显著进展，我希望这一目标能够比目前规划的时间提前三到五年、甚至更早实现。”

北极合作、共同的利益和关切

在两国关系方面，冰岛和中国都积极参与了“北极圈大会”，这是全球最大的专注于北极地区及其未来、机遇和挑战的国际性会议。“我认为北极议题在我们的双边关系中占有极其重要的地位，而且对于这一地区，中冰两国有着共同的关切和利益。冰岛是北极理事会的正式成员国，中国作为理事会的观察员国，对冰岛在北极事务中对中国的支持表示衷心的感谢。此外，冰岛是首个与中国签署关于北极事务合作的双边协议的北极国家，这体现了我们两国之间深度的共识和相互理解。中国认为北极问题关乎全球各国，特别是在气候变化和北极航道等方面。因此，许多国家对此表现出浓厚的兴趣和深切的关注。作为北极事务的利益攸关方，中国深感责任重大。我对冰岛政府在与中国合作方面所展现出的开放姿态表示感谢，我相信，我们两国对气候变化问题的高度重视将为双方进一步的合作奠定坚实的基础。”

作为中冰两国合作的一个重要标志，何大使还提到了位于阿克雷里附近卡尔霍的中冰“极光联合观测台。“这个观测台对全球的研究人员开放，不只限于中冰两国的研究人员。简而言之，它为世界各地的科学家提供了一个研究北极事务的平台。因此，它是两国成功合作的又一个生动例证。”

利用地热、创造非凡

显而易见，何大使对于增进中国与冰岛之间的联系充满热忱。他指出：“尽管我们两国在国土面积、社会制度和人口数量方面存在差异，但这并未阻碍冰岛与中国携手合作，相互交流，共同促进双边关系的发展。我们非常珍视与冰岛的关系，把冰岛视为国际关系中重要的合作伙伴。例如，在地热能源的开发利用方面，我们看到了贵国的技术实力，这无疑是两国合作的宝贵财富。”

何大使指出，中国目前正在积极推进绿色转型的进程，并提出了宏伟的“30/60”目标：即到2030年实现碳达峰，到2060年实现碳中和。“为了实现这些目标，我们必须广泛采用绿色技术，以推动我国进一步改变发展模式并优化能源结构。事实上，地热能合作已经成为我们两国合作的亮点之一。例如，中国石化集团与冰岛北极绿色能源公司自2006年成立合资企业以来，合作成效卓著。合资企业不仅从一开始就实现了盈利，而且还助力中国约60个市县摆脱了雾霾。此外，通过以清洁的地热供暖取代传统的煤炭供暖，我们的城市变得更清洁、更宜居，其重要意义不言自明。该合作项目同时也得到了联合国的关注，被联合国誉为全球二氧化碳减排方面的成功典范。正是因为如此，我们每年都会接待多个中国官方代表团，他们希望亲自来此实地考察冰岛的地热发电站，如赫利舍迪地热电站，从而学习贵国在地热能源领域的专业知识、探讨地热能方面合作的可能。”

求同存异、互鉴共荣

尽管两国之间存在明显的差异——中华文明源远流长，拥有五千年的历史，而冰岛的历史相对较短，大约只有1150年左右；此外，中国是一个人口大国，拥有14亿人口，而冰岛的人口却只有38.5万——但大使依然坚信，双方仍然可以相互借鉴，共同发展。

“当然，中国是一个历史悠久的文明古国，我们可以自豪地告诉人们，中国是世界上唯一一个历史脉络从未中断的文明。正如冰岛语自冰岛有人定居以来几乎没有什么变化、现在的冰岛人仍然能够阅读自己古老的文献一样。在中国，我们同样能够阅读2000多年前的古代文字。这种文化传承的连续性，是我们两国共同珍视的宝贵财富。

自到冰岛履职以来，我深感中冰两国有着一个显著的共同点：两国都从曾经相对落后和贫穷的状态迅速崛起，成为当今世界领先的国家。冰岛自第二次世界大战以来取得了令人瞩目的成就，从一个西欧最不发达的国家之一，跃升为全球众多领域的典范，人均国内生产总值（GDP）位居世界前列。中国也是如此，在改革开放政策实施后的大约40多年里，我们成功地使约8亿中国人摆脱了贫困，大大提高了他们的生活质量，并确保了更加充足的食物供应。如今，中国已成为世界第二大经济体，人民的预期寿命显著延长，人民对国家的未来充满信心。

尽管我们两国有着截然不同的历史背景，但这种共同的发展轨迹总是让我深感震撼。在短短几代人的时间里，我们两国都已从过去的状态发生了翻天覆地的变化，这种跨越式的发展不仅彰显了我们两国人民的勤劳和智慧，也是我们共同的骄傲。”

何大使不仅致力于加强中国与冰岛在多个领域的合作，还计划在冰岛的短暂夏季享受一些个人的时光。作为一名跑步爱好者，他去年参加了雷克雅未克的全程马拉松、‘海鹦跑’和‘铃木午夜阳光跑’。“今年，我准备参加半程马拉松，这对我来说已经非常满足。我和家人还计划环游雷克雅未克周边地区，这些地方不仅风景如画，而且交通便利。此外，我们也希望有机会深度游览冰岛的其他景点。我曾经徒步穿越了斯科加到索斯莫克的菲姆沃罗豪尔斯徒步路线，那次经历让我非常享受。我期待以后还有这样的机会。”

小小留言簿、满满游客心

最后，为了回应近期本地新闻关于外国游客对冰岛旅游兴趣可能有所减退的报道，何大使分享了一个令人振奋的故事。“我最近在东部峡湾区旅行，那里据称是冰岛游客最少的地方。然而，让我惊讶的是，在我所住宾馆的宾客留言簿上，我发现了很多中国游客的签名。根据他们的留言，我能够知道他们已经在冰岛逗留了16天到18天，显然他们正在进行一次环岛旅游。这进一步坚定了我的信念：中国人热爱冰岛，因为它是一个如此独特的国家，并且我也相信，今后将会有越来越多的中国游客来到这里。现在，我已经亲身体验了冰岛的美丽，我期待更多的中国人也能有机会来此体验。”

撰稿：Jon Agnar Olason

Photo/Páll Stefánsson

DIFFERENT NATIONS WITH MUCH IN COMMON

Mr.He Rulong has served as the Chinese Ambassador in Iceland since February2022.After two and a half years,he and his family are happily settled,and although the two countries are vastly different in most regards,he firmly believes they can learn a thing or two from each other.After all,the distance between the central points of Iceland and China happens to be7,777kilometres—a very lucky number,according to the ambassador.

“The first time I travelled to Iceland was twenty years ago,in2004,when I came here with a Chinese delegation,spending three nights here.I was immediately impressed with the country and its beautiful landscape,so completely different from China,”the ambassador explains.“When I got the notification that I had been appointed to this post in February2022,I was so thrilled,as was my wife,who also had previously travelled to Iceland in2003.She had a lovely impression of Iceland and knew quite a few things about the country from her Icelandic flatmate during her studies in the UK.So,I have my whole family with me here,and simply put,we love it.”

A BOOMING INTEREST IN ICELAND

According to Mr.He,Iceland is a very different country in the eyes of the Chinese people—not simply because it is an island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean and thus geographically distant from China,but also because of the natural vistas evident in recent years from popular Hollywood blockbusters featuring scenes shot in Iceland.This,among other things,has piqued quite an interest in Iceland among the Chinese,and as a result,the popularity of Iceland as a destination has surged among Chinese tourists.Consequently,Iceland fell—somewhat unexpectedly—into the Top10list of coveted destinations among Chinese travellers for the years2023and2024.“This is why you can see quite a few Chinese walking the streets of Reykjavík and traveling around Iceland right now,”he adds.

While discussing the apparent differences between the two countries,Mr.He concedes that parts like the heavily populated area around the Eastern seaboard,with its widespread greenery and tall trees,are quite different from any part of Iceland.“However,I visited the Central Highlands and was enchanted by the mountains and the beautiful colours.Interestingly,in the Northwestern part of China,there are actually very similar terrains with striking natural colours.”

DIRECT FLIGHT WILL MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

Considering the increasing Chinese interest in Iceland as a destination,the news of the prospect of direct flights between China and Iceland will undoubtedly be welcomed.This is clearly an important matter to the Ambassador.

“You know,the distance between the center of China and the center of Iceland has been calculated thoroughly,and it so happens that the distance is7,777kilometers.Four sevens,a very lucky number,”he adds with a smile.“It’s quite far,and currently the travel is not easy,with people having to make a stopover and a flight connection somewhere in mainland Europe.But the hope is that when there is a direct flight,we will be able to connect our two countries further in terms of business,the flow of people,and more tourists coming both ways.That will be a tremendous boost to the mutual understanding of the countries and to bilateral relationships.”

The Ambassador adds that ever since his appointment to the post,establishing a direct flight between Iceland and China has remained one of his top priorities,maybe even the single most important priority,as he considers it of paramount importance in terms of relations between the two countries.“I’m certainly losing no time in working with the Chinese authorities as well as Icelandic authorities and businesses to help make the necessary arrangements to realize this vision.I would say that we are making good progress,and I hope it will happen even sooner than the three-to-five-year plan currently on the table.”

COOPERATION IN THE ARCTIC

Regarding the relationship between the two countries,Iceland and China have both actively participated in the Arctic Circle Assembly,the largest international gathering focused on the Arctic region,its future,opportunities,and challenges.“I think the subject of the Arctic is a very important one in our bilateral relationship,and there are some commonalities between China and Iceland when it comes to that particular region.Iceland is a member of the Arctic Council,while China is an observer of the council,and we thank Iceland for their support.Also,I think that Iceland was the first Arctic country to sign a bilateral agreement with China on cooperation in Arctic affairs.This demonstrates the good understanding between our two countries.China believes that the Arctic issue is one affecting each and every country in the world when it comes to climate change,Arctic shipping lanes,etc.Accordingly,many countries would be interested in,even concerned with,this issue,and China is a stakeholder in Arctic affairs.So,I am grateful for the openness of the Icelandic government regarding cooperation with China,and the way our two countries take climate change very seriously has put them on a firm foundation for further cooperation.

Mr.He also cites the Aurora Arctic Observatory in Kárhóll,near Akureyri,as a good symbol of the cooperation between the two countries.“This project is open to researchers,not only from China and Iceland,and in a nutshell,it is a platform for all scientists from all countries to come and research Arctic affairs.So that is another example.”

MAKING A GEOTHERMALLY POWERED DIFFERENCE

It is obvious that Mr.He is very enthusiastic about further strengthening relations between his homeland and the country he currently resides in.“Our relationship is mutually complementary,and while we differ in size,social systems,and population,this has not stopped Iceland and China from coming together,exchanging views,and contributing to growing relations.We view Iceland as a very valuable partner in terms of international relations.For example,we see the strength of your country when it comes to technology regarding the harnessing of geothermal energy.”Mr He explains that China is currently in the process of a green transition and has an ambitious goal called30/60,which implies that2030will be a carbon peak,and2060will be the year the country reaches carbon neutrality.“Therefore,we need to employ a lot of green technology to push China further into development mode and alter the country’s energy mix.Actually,geothermal cooperation has been a highlight in the collaboration between our two countries,and one such example is the joint cooperation project between Arctic Green of Iceland and Sinopec from China.

They set up a joint venture18years ago,and it has been tremendously successful.On one part,it is generating revenue from the get-go,and secondly,it has helped China to turn approximately60cities and counties into smog-free locations.We changed our coal-based heating system into a geothermal one,making our urban areas cleaner and more liveable—something that has proved tremendously important. This project has actually been hailed by the U.N.as one of the success stories in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in a global context.So,every year we receive many Chinese official delegations visiting Iceland because they all want to see the geothermal power stations in your country,for instance,the one in Hellisheidi,just to learn from your expertise and the potential of geothermal cooperation.”

COMMONALITIES DESPITE DIFFERENCES

The Ambassador seems adamant that despite the vast differences between the two countries—Chinese civilization has a history that runs back5000years,while Iceland was discovered around1150years ago,and the Chinese population is approximately1.4billion while Iceland counts barely385,000people—they can still learn quite a few things from one another.

“Of course,China is an ancient civilization,and one that we are proud to say is the only civilization in the world that is uninterrupted throughout history.And just like you Icelanders,who can read your own ancient texts because the language has hardly changed since settlement times,in China we can read scripts from2000years ago.

Regarding what China and Iceland have in common,another thing has struck me deeply since my arrival,and that is the fact that both countries have managed to rise from being among the least developed and poor ones to being leading countries in a relatively short span of time.In Iceland,you have made giant strides only since the Second World War,from being among the least developed nations in Western Europe to being a leading model in many aspects in the world.You have one of the highest GDP per capita globally,and in China it’s the same.In the short span of about40years and more,since the announcement of the Reform and Opening-up Policy,we successfully lifted about800million Chinese people out of poverty,improving their living conditions dramatically and providing them with better food.Today,China is the second-largest economy in the world,and people have better life expectancy and are more confident in the future of the country.This is the commonality that always strikes me,despite the many differences between the two countries with such different histories.We are two nations completely different from what we were only three or four generations ago.”

Apart from planning to expand cooperation between China and Iceland in various capacities,Mr.He is also planning his own personal activities for the short,Icelandic summer.A sports enthusiast himself,Mr.He is an avid runner and has already done a full marathon in the Reykjavík Marathon last year,as well as the Puffin Run and the Suzuki Midnight Run.“This year,I think I’m going to let a half-marathon suffice.My family and I have plans to visit some beautiful spots in the vicinity of Reykjavík,where everything is so accessible and within reach,as well as around your beautiful country.I already did the excursion of hiking the Fimmvörðuháls trail from Skógar toÞórsmörk and enjoyed that tremendously.I would like to repeat that experience.”

A SURPRISING NUMBER OF CHINESE SIGNATURES

Finally,to counter the recent local news that foreign tourists seem to have a slightly waning interest in Iceland as a destination,the Ambassador has a reassuring story.“I was traveling in and around the Eastern fjords,an area that is reported to be the least travelled part of the country.But to my surprise,in the gestabók[guest book]where I stayed,I found so many Chinese signatures!According to what they wrote,they had been traveling around Iceland for16or18days,so it appears they were doing a trip around the entire country.This reinforces my conviction that the Chinese love Iceland because it is such a different country and will be visiting in ever greater numbers.Now that I know how beautiful it is,I’m looking forward to them experiencing it.”

Written by Jon Agnar Olason

Photos Páll Stefánsson