Former Iceland minister eyes closer ties with China

Editor's note: China Daily presents the series Friends Afar to tell the stories of people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries. Through the vivid narration of the people in the stories, readers can get a better understanding of a country that is boosting openness.

The economic rise of China over the past 40 years is one of the most significant events in modern history, says Illugi Gunnarsson, a former minister of education, science and culture in Iceland.

"Never before in history has such a large group of people been brought from poverty to prosperity, (and) the implications of the economic rise of China have been felt all around the world."